Lot 89: 18th C. Indian Brass Shrine - Virabhadra Flanked by Daksha and Sati

Name: 18th C. Indian Brass Shrine - Virabhadra Flanked by Daksha and Sati
Brand: Artemis Fine Arts
SKU: ef95ce6143
Price: 3500 USD

Est: $5,500 USD - $7,500 USDPassed

Artemis Fine ArtsLouisville, CO, USNovember 06, 2025

Item Overview

Description

South Asia, India, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A rare five-piece freestanding brass shrine depicting Virabhadra, the fierce emanation of Shiva, flanked by Daksha and Sati. The central crowned figure of Virabhadra stands with four arms, holding a sword and rectangular shield in his lower hands and a bow and arrow in the upper pair, his robust form accentuated with ornaments and sacred thread. To his proper right is Daksha, the goat-headed figure shown with hands in anjali mudra (gesture of devotion), and to his proper left stands Sati, Shiva's wife and daughter of Daksha. The three figures are slotted individually into a tiered South Indian base engraved with geometric detailing. Behind them rises the elaborately cast prabhavali (arch), topped by a fearsome kirtimukha mask and crowned with a five-headed naga canopy, symbolic of divine protection.
Size: 2.8" L x 6" W x 7.4" H (7.1 cm x 15.2 cm x 18.8 cm)

Though the figures fit somewhat loosely, they appear to have been conceived as a unified ensemble, a format that is far less common than the cast or beaten plaques of Virabhadra. The iconography recalls the dramatic Puranic episode of Daksha's sacrificial rite (yagna), in which Daksha insulted Shiva by excluding him from the ceremony. In despair, Shiva's consort Sati immolated herself, prompting Shiva to manifest Virabhadra as his avenger. Virabhadra beheaded Daksha in battle, and though the gods intervened to restore him to life, his head was replaced with that of a goat, giving rise to his distinctive iconography. The presence of Sati here emphasizes her tragic role in the myth, though in Karnataka, Virabhadra's consort is often identified as Mahakali.

This shrine, worn from ritual handling and worship, captures both the ferocity and the reconciliation embedded in the legend. It stands as an eloquent testament to South Indian devotional practice and the enduring power of myth translated into sculptural form.

PROVENANCE: ex-P.T. collection, Queens, New York, USA

Cf. Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number 880(IS).

We coordinate worldwide shipping to most destinations, overseeing every detail in-house to guarantee a smooth and exceptional delivery experience.

SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)

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Item # 197500

Condition Report

Good. Comprise of 5 different bronze pieces. Some rubbing and weathering expecting with age. Backing fits loosely in stand. Otherwise, intact and very nice with good remaining detail and light patina.

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Auction Details

Connoisseur's Delight | Ancient, Ethnographic, Fine Art

Artemis Fine Arts

November 06, 2025, 08:00 AM MST

686 S. Taylor Ave., #108, Louisville, CO, 80027, US

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Terms

Live bidding may start higher or lower

Buyer's Premium

$1 - 249,999:28.5%*

$250,000+:25.0%*

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From:	To:	Increment:
$0	$299	$25
$300	$999	$50
$1,000	$1,999	$100
$2,000	$4,999	$250
$5,000+		$500

Terms of Sale

Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. Your submission of bids in this auction constitutes your acceptance.

1. PAYMENT POLICY: To provide a seamless bidder checkout, all winning lots will be invoiced through LiveAuctioneers' LivePayments invoicing system, unless bidder chooses to pay Artemis Fine Arts directly via personal check or money order, via credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. If bidder chooses to pay Artemis Fine Arts directly, bidder must contact Artemis Fine Arts to arrange payment. Payments not made within 5 business days of auction's end will forfeit bidder's right to purchase said item(s), with item(s) relisted to next appropriate auction. In addition, non-paying bidders will receive posted negative feedback on LiveAuctioneers and not be allowed bidding privileges on any future auctions.

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3. RETURN POLICY: No sale is final if you're not happy; however, it is important that you keep in mind deadlines for reporting issues based on the following situations: a. In the event of an authenticity dispute, written email notification must be provided to Artemis Fine Arts within 2 business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. After Artemis Fine Arts is notified of the dispute, a written letter from a recognized expert in the field pertaining to the item in dispute must then be presented for consideration (NO EXCEPTIONS). If Artemis Fine Arts concludes that the expert's assessment of the piece is accurate, a full refund, including hammer price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Fine Arts will either provide a prepaid return shipping label or reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Fine Arts will only remit refund after the item has been returned in the same condition as received. b. In the event of an error in item description, condition report, provenance, or dimensions, written notification of the error must be given within 2 business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. A full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided, if so requested. Artemis Fine Arts will either provide a prepaid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Fine Arts will only remit refund after the item has been returned in the same condition as received. c. If a return is requested for any reason other than the above, written notification with reason for return must be given within 2 days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data for Artemis Fine Arts to issue a refund to the original payment method. If notification is given after 5 days, the item may be returned for credit toward a future purchase or may be consigned for sale through Artemis Fine Arts. The item must be returned to Artemis Fine Arts at the buyer's expense. Original shipping charges will not be refunded. All items to be returned must be adequately insured and must be received by Artemis Fine Arts in the same condition as when shipped. In no event may any item be returned after 20 days from the date of delivery.

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**Please note, we are currently unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia due to customs clearance issues. We are working to resolve this issue. If you are in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, arrange your own shipping, or we will not be able to complete your purchase.*

**For shipments outside of the USA, custom / duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Fine Arts will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding**

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