suchandra 1 Report post Posted August 25, 2008 Idols of Hindu Gods and Sculptures to auctioned by Christie’s in September 2008 http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/08/idols-of-hindu-gods-and-sculptures-to.html Christie’s, one of world’s leading art business and a fine arts auction house, is auctioning several idols of Hindu gods and sculptures, stone works, miniatures at its auction of artworks in New York on September 16, 2008. The idols on sale range from the 1st century BC to 18th century AD. Bronze figure of Shiva as Nataraja, Vishnu, Skanda (Muruga), Ganesha, Goddess Durga, Goddess Ambika, Goddess Parvati, Kamadeva and idols of numerous other deities and paintings are part of the auction. Around 85 idols and paintings related to Hinduism will be auctioned by Christie’s on the day. Most of these idols were stolen from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> during the British rule and some after independence. What is baffling is that nearly 60 Hindu idols and around 15 paintings of ancient <st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region> is going to be auctioned and there is not even an attempt from any quarters in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> to get back these priceless idols and artifacts. The costliest is Shiva Nataraja of Chola Period (975 AD), estimated at 1.5 million dollars from Tamil Nadu. ($1,000,000 - $1,500,000) Some of the other prominent idols on sale are: Stone figure of Skanda - <st1:placename st="on">Swat</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype> or <st1:place st="on">Kashmir</st1:place>, 6th/7th Century estimated price is $8,000 - $10,000 A green schist figure of Shiva and Parvati - <st1:place st="on">Kashmir</st1:place>, 7th Century estimated price is $15,000 - $20,000 A terracotta plaque of Kamadeva <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, Chandraketugarh, 1st Century. Bc-1st Century. AD $6,000 - $8,000 A rare mottled red sandstone figure of Ganesha <st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region>, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mathura</st1:place></st1:city>, Kushan period, 3rd century - $30,000 - $50,000 A Blackstone stele of Shiva Andhakarimurti Northeastern India, Pala Period, 11th Century - $40,000 - $60,000 A black schist stele of Radha and Krishna <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Rajasthan or Gujurat, 14th/15th Century - $60,000 - $80,000 These above idols are just a few picked from nearly 60 idols. You can find the rest of the idols here at Christie's. You may also like to read Lord Shiva Statue Auctioned for Record $4.07 Million Posted by abhilash on 25.8.08 For more related posts: Hindu Issues, idols Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
