A PAINTED POLYCHROME CLAY FIGURE OF A WRATHFUL DEITY WESTERN TIBET, 11TH CENTURY

the green-skinned figure depicted lunging to his right with a flexed left foot, the ferocious expression accentuated with bulging eyes and a slightly open mouth revealing his teeth, dressed in a loose garment painted in varying tones of orange and yellow gathered below the stomach and adorned with a long beaded necklace detailed with floral motifs, the reverse left flat and unpainted, revealing the consecrated material carefully coiled into the interior below the head

Minor restoration and cleaning of pigments. Consecrated material preserved at the reverse in the interior.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It is rare to find an intact 11th century clay figure in such well preserved condition, with original pigments. For a smaller fragmentary figure of a consort in clay, see Kalpana Desai, Jewels on the Crescent. Masterpieces of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Ahmedabad, 2002, p. 210, pl. 215, where the author notes that the figure, originally taken from Tsaparang by Li Gotami, is one of a select group of sculptures, including the current example, which bears the imprint of characteristics of the art of Kashmir.