Ca. AD 1800 - 1900.
A Thai bronze figure depicting the mythical creature Kinnara. It is a creature of Hindu and Buddhist mythology, described as part human and part bird. The upper body shows a human head and torso, wearing an elaborate hairstyle and body accessories. The lower body is depicted in bird form, with flaring wings on the side. They are known as protectors of humans during turbulent times, and are also known to be associated with music and love. Kinnara can be depicted in both male and female form, and is not to be confused with Kalavinka, a Buddhist immortal creature with a human's head, torso of a bird, and a long bird's tail. For similar see, Christie's live auction 2335, lot 462.
Size: 380mm x 150mm; Weight: 2.1kg
Provenance: Private London collection, acquired pre-2000.