The Bodhisattva Akashanetra, the Eye of the Sky

Possibly Baron Alexander von Staël-Holstein (1877-1937), Beijing, by 1937 [1];

With Draper and Draper, St. Louis, by 1950 [2];

Purchased from Draper and Draper by Mrs. and Mrs. Fred W. (1904-1983) and Grace V. (nee Rutt, 1902-1991) Kaler, Damariscotta, ME, by 1951;

Their gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1982 [3].

[1] Baron Alexander von Stael-Holstein was born in Estonia, a province of the former Russian empire at the time of his birth.  Early studies at the University of Tartu (formerly Universität Dorpat) and then Germany show his burgeoning interest in Sanskrit and Indian literature.  Following diplomatic service (1903–04), he held professorial positions at the University of St. Petersburg and the National University of Beijing where he settled following the Bolshevik Revolution.

[2] Having learned that Laurence Sickman studied with Stael-Holstein, Mr. and Mrs. Kaler approached the Nelson-Atkins about the sculptures. Correspondence between Mrs. Kaler and Laurence Sickman, see curatorial files.

 [3] Correspondence between Mrs. Kaler and Laurence Sickman, curatorial files.