VOLCANIC-STONE FIGURE OF KUBERA, MAJAPAHIT EMPIRE, CIRCA 15th CENTURY AD

Description

VOLCANIC-STONE
FIGURE OF KUBERA (31 + lbs),
MAJAPAHIT
EMPIRE, CIRCA 15
th
CENTURY AD
Height:
15”
Width:
9”
Depth:
7 ¾”
Weight:
30 lbs
11.9 oz
This
impressive stone carving was brought out of Java.
It has
resided in a private western collection since its extraction in the early to
mid-1800s.
The
seated figure wearing crown and jewels and holding a round-bottom club-scepter is
of the Hindu Diety,
KUBERA
, one of the Guardians of the
Directions.
Kubera was a god-king/god of
wealth and protector of the North.
According
to southeast Asian scholars, the MAJAPAHIT empire, based in Indonesia (specifically
Java), existed from 1293 through 1527.
The
carving has attributes/form/style of stone work completed around the 15
th
Century (1400s).
It is relatively intact
with minor dings, chinks, abrasion scratches and a repaired baton (completed
well before this site acquired this remarkable piece).
KUBERA
is shown as a forceful, mustache-wearing/teeth-showing pot-bellied god, with a
snake curling around his left hand/arm.
As
with all things stemming from the Hindu Religion of Gods, there is a confusing
and complicated backstory regarding KUBERA.
But for any MODERN collector wishing to have a Diety devoted to money/acquiring
wealth, this heavy statue resting on a key place in one’s home or executive
office, this carving will always remind one that the concept of
GREED IS
GOOD is an ancient belief!
Artifact
will be carefully packaged and heavily padded to ensure non-breakage.
Minor
abrasions, chinks, dings, repaired club