Country Group: South and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam)

Item id: 8483

Incredibly beautiful, solid copper Indra, probably from India or Nepal. Supremely beautiful, finely cast, exquisitely modeled. Near masterpiece. Cast of a high quality alloy. This piece measures 4 1/2 inches tall and 6 1/4 inches with its custom base. Solid cast. Looks to have been completely gilded at one time. Some dings and has been cleaned at various times but overall condition is excellent. This is one piece that cleaning has not hurt, because the quality of the underlying alloy is very high (containing precious metal I think), and the varying layers (light, dark, traces of gilding, all with the mirror-like surface) manage to come together to create a unique and beautiful surface that would be near impossible to fake. I've had different opinions on age from several hundred years old to 20thC. The dings and flattening on the underside and the remains of gilding (which look to be correct and not to be added to deceive) do suggest real age. I will give the best possible photos and leave it for the buyer to decide. It is not the typical Nepalese type, which is hollow, and usually cast of bronze, nor is it like any Indian example I've seen, though not sure where else it could possible be from. Seems like it may have been made by a jeweler as a "one of" in the 19thC. I leave it for you to decide. A true favorite that would go in my to 20 favorite pieces out of the 2500 pieces in my collection.