Sotheby ( First Art Newspaper on the Net ) Indian & Southeast Asian Works of Art sale on 24 March in New York will be led by a spectacular 10th century Khmer Koh Ker period Athlete from a European private collection (est. $2/3 million). Acquired by the original owner over 40 years ago, the figure is mate to the Koh Ker athlete at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena that is almost identical in posture and physical appearance.
The group of Indian miniatures in the sale is led by An Illustration to the Gita Govinda: Krishna Adorns his beloved Radha (est. $150/250,000). The painting depicts a scene from the Gita Govinda (Song of the Dark Lord) composed by the 12th century poet Jayadeva. The verse is homage to the incarnation of the Supreme Being Vishnu as Krishna, the Divine Lover. Here Krishna is seen tenderly tying a jeweled girdle around the waist of his beloved Radha after their tryst on the banks of the Yamuna. read More
