Silver Idol Throne, Nepal

Magnificent Silver Throne for a Deity

This extraordinary silver throne is designed to sit on an altar and to hold a small image or statue of a Hindu deity. The throne itself is of solid, high-grade silver. The umbrella or canopy is of silvered copper.

The throne sits on four silver feet, each beautifully-modelled as a Garuda, with wings out-stretched. The ‘floor’ of the throne is finely engraved with a large lotus petal motif surrounded by further finely-rendered floral motifs. The platform is bordered by a fence decorated with pierced flower motifs and with solid-cast lotus bud finials, and has a shirting on all sides that comprises a lotus petal border and fringes engraved with scrolling flowers against a ring-mat background.

The back plate of the throne is pierced and features a central pierced floral screen within an arched aureole cast with a Garuda at the apex and a female attendant and a

makara on either side. The aureole supports a domed umbrella or canopy that has a prominent lotus bud finial. The fringe of the canopy id decorated with thirty evenly-spaced pendant silver bodhi leaves.

The throne is based on an actual throne for a raja or king. Such thrones comprised low platforms that rested on four low feet and were used in India and Nepal. The presence of a canopy or umbrella signifies royalty or divinity.

A smaller example of a deity throne in gold from Gujarat or Maharasthra is illustrated in Aitken (2004, p. 57).

Aitken, M.E., When Gold Blossoms: Indian Jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson Collection, Asia Society & Philip Wilson Publishers, 2004.

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