14th C. Indian Granite Figure of Chandikeshwara

South Asia, India, Tamil Nadu, Vijayanagar Empire, ca. second quarter of 14th century to 15th century CE. A sizable sculpture of Chandikeshwara (also Chandeshvara, Chandeshwara, Chandesha, or Canda), one of 63 Nayanmar saints devoted to the god Shiva who lived in Tamil Nadu during the 3rd to 8th centuries CE and who was influential in the formation of the Bhakti movement. Hand-carved from light gray-brown hardstone, the elegantly displayed lord sits with regal panoply adorned with earspools, a knotted belt below a form-fitting vestment, necklaces, and a grand, tiered headdress above a boss-adorned brow band. He presents with his left leg tucked beneath the knee of his right in a relaxed pose atop an integral throne while holding a cone-tipped staff in his right hand. His peaceful visage peers forward with downcast eyes beneath slender brows, a bar-shaped nose, a slightly grinning mouth, and cupped ears, and behind his head is a flowing coiffure that adds to his royal appearance. Size: 29.5" H (74.9 cm)

Cf. a copper alloy statue of Chandeshvara at The British Museum, museum number 1992,0727.29

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-David Swope collection, Westchester, New York, USA

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#167972
Condition Report: Minor nicks to throne base, limbs, finery, face, and crown headdress, with softening to some finer details commensurate with age, light encrustations, and mossy inclusions across scattered areas. Wonderful preservation to figural form and great presentation overall.