A red sandstone stele of Shiva

INDIA, RAJASTHAN OR MADHYA PRADESH, 10TH CENTURY

Details

A red sandstone stele of Shiva
India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, 10th century
Finely carved with Shiva dancing with one foot raised, holding the trident, damaru, skull cup, khatvanga and stretching a naga behind his head, dressed in a diaphanous dhoti and adorned with a large garland, the hair in a pointed jatamukuta, flanked by pillars and a pair of lions and attendant figures, with an elaborate scrollwork pediment above
40¾ in. (103.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Private Collection, Belgium, acquired 22 January 1969

Lot Essay

Depicted in the this lalita pose, Shiva is depicted as Lord of the Dance, and was favored by sculptors for its dynamic and expressive nature, where the bent knees and thrust of the hip is counterbalanced by the sharp diagonal of his arm. With his attributes held in his six arms, this figure appears to burst from the confines of his pillared niche.

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