Vintage Nepalese Bronze Garuda Figure Buddhist Guardian Deity 12.5" LS#097

Antique Japanese Bronze Garuda Figure with Gilt Highlights, Buddhist Guardian Deity

12.5"H x 7.5"D x 8"W

Cast bronze figure depicting Garuda kneeling in prayer, hands held together in añjali mudrā. The figure is powerfully modeled with a muscular human torso, avian head with pronounced beak, and fully articulated wings folded behind the body. The surface shows a deep, natural bronze patina with subtle tonal variation from age and handling, with no applied gilt or later surface treatments.

Garuda is a central figure in Hindu and Buddhist traditions across Nepal, revered as a divine protector and the vehicle of Vishnu. The avian features symbolize speed, vigilance, and the triumph over serpentine forces, here emphasized by the sculpted snakes coiling around the arms and ankles. The kneeling posture and prayer gesture suggest devotion, restraint, and ritual humility rather than aggression.

Stylistically, the sculpture reflects Newar metalworking traditions, known for dense ornamentation, balanced proportions, and expressive facial detail. The swirling hair forms, scale-patterned garments, and crisply defined wings align with Himalayan bronze casting practices rather than Japanese or Chinese models. The figure is mounted on an integral lotus-style base with scrolling feet, reinforcing its religious function.

Such devotional bronzes were produced for household shrines and temple settings, intended to embody protective presence rather than narrative action. The restrained surface wear and softened edges are consistent with ritual use and age.

This figure presents strongly from all angles, making it suitable for altar display, shelf presentation, or inclusion in a focused Himalayan or South Asian sculpture collection.

Condition: General age-related wear and surface patina throughout. Minor surface abrasions and casting irregularities consistent with age and hand-cast production. No structural breaks observed.

A compelling Nepalese devotional bronze offering symbolic strength, spiritual gravity, and sculptural presence—well suited for collectors of Himalayan art or serious interior display.