Expert: Anthony - 3/26/2009

Question
Dear Anthony--the carving has been in our family for at least 40 years maybe more--it was given to my mom by a friend from India, someone had given it to him as a gift, I think--until recently, when my mother passed away I had never really examined it--she said something about it being cursed and from a tomb in Eygpt, so she kept it hidden in a closet---but I felt it was more likely from India --do you have any idea where I could take it to have it identified--possibly a museum? I live in Las Vegas Nevada and have no clue what to do with it--Thank you for any help you can give me--Susan

Answer
Hi Susan,

Just wanted to provide you with an update that I just received from the Nelson-Atkins Museum's curator.  I am enlisting the message below:

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Subject: RE: Website Request | Curatorial: Asian Art
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 16:43:03
From: Ling-en Lu <lel@nelson-atkins.org>
To: Clyde <n_clyde_g@yahoo.com>

Dear Anthony,

The sculpture does not look like any deity from East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, or Vietnam).  I would guess it is probably a Yakshi figure, female spirit of ancient Indian religions.  It was probably part of a large sculptural program in a temple.

I forwarded your image to our curator of South and Southeast Asian Art, who may identify the figure.
Best wishes,

Ling-en Lu
Assistant Curator
Chinese art

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Will let you know once I have any other information to give.

Regards,