Stolen 17th century Nepal Sculpture found in Geneva

Kathmandu – The 17th Century Polychrome wood figure of goddess Vasudhara has been located in a private Museum in Geneva, Switzerland.

The idol was stolen from a Buddhist Monastery in Kathmandu. A press release issued by Lost Arts of Nepal said  Monday that the wooden figure belong to a monastery in Pinchhe Baha, Wotu Tole. ” It’s now in the offer for  Sale at Koller Auctions, Zurich,” it said.

The insitu photograph was taken by art scholar Mary Shepherd Slusser in the 1970s during an festival.  It was published in her monumental book, “Nepal Mandala – A Cultural Study of the Kathmandu Valley”, Volume-2.

The exact date of theft has not been ascertained yet, but it’s estimated to between 1970s and 80s. The 44cm height’s wooden figure of Goddess Vasudhara is to be sold at Koller Auctions, Zurich, on November 29, 2022.

Lost Arts of Nepal is an initiative to inform Nepalese Citizens about the lost artistic heritage from Nepal.