Lot 53B
South Asia, India, ca. 10th century CE. A finely carved red sandstone bas relief most likely depicting semi-divine celestial attendants captured in a swaying pose with their faces looking left, perhaps toward a deity they are presenting. While their bodies appear to be nearly identical in pose and dress, their headdresses are distinct. Given this differentiation, another possibility is that this trio represents the three major Hindu deities: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. An early mention of this sacred triad occurs in Kaladasa's poem entitled "Kumarasambhava" (Birth of the War God) dating back to ca. 4th to 5th century CE, and the famous Trimurti Temple dates to the beginning of the 8th century CE. Oftentimes these three gods are fused into a single form with three faces. When this happens, the avatar is known as Dattatreya. By depicting these three deities together, the iconography suggests that each deity in not one-dimensional - that Vishnu is not solely a preserver and Shiva not merely a destroyer for instance. A superb example of Hindu art replete with spiritual content, skillful technique, and impressive artistry. Custom, wood block stand. Size: relief itself measures 8.25" W x 10.5" H (21 cm x 26.7 cm); with stand 9.5" W x 13.5" H (24.1 cm x 34.3 cm)
Provenance: Ex-Bill Freeman collection, Santa Fe, NM
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#117229
- Condition: Minor surface abrasions and losses to peripheries as shown.
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