14th C. Indian Sandstone Panel of Goddess Parvati
Central Asia, India, Rajasthan, ca. 14th century CE. A sumptuous panel depicting a standing goddess, perhaps Parvati, hand-carved from red-brown sandstone and sanded smooth. The ancient deity stands contrapposto displaying a belt cord and a frontal sash, with carefully incised striations and spirals adorning her thighs. Beaded necklaces drape around her neck and atop her bosom, and her bangle-adorned arms are stretched behind her in a tantric manner. Her sensitive visage boasts almond-shaped eyes beneath an arched brow, full cheeks, and large-lobed ears, all beneath a neatly arranged coiffure topped with a tall headdress with embellishments indicative of jewels and other precious materials. Size: 9.25" W x 25" H (23.5 cm x 63.5 cm); 26" H (66 cm) on included custom stand.
The Hindu goddess Parvati, also known as Uma, daughter of the mountains, is traditionally understood as the consort of Shiva and is usually presented as a beautiful woman without any superfluous limbs, as we see in this example. When she finally attracted Shiva, after a long and physically grueling courtship, he shared with her the secrets of the world, a conversation that would lead to the dispersal of this elite knowledge amongst the wise. At first Parvati, like most female deities (shakti), was viewed as a minor deity. However, between the 5th and 13th centuries, Parvati became a subject of worship in her own right rather than a mere consort to a male deity, with temples erected in her honor. It was at this time that Parvati became a major deity known as Durga and Kali. This sculpture depicts Parvati in all of her glory.
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-Donald Taitt estate, Paris, France; ex-Aponem Auction, Genicourt, France, "Collection Donald Truitt et a divers - Arts Premiers d'Afrique et d'Oceanie - Archeologie Mediterraneenne et Americaine," June 6, 2019, Lot 345; ex-Cole Harrell collection, New York City, New York, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#165785
Condition Report: Fragment of a larger piece. Head reattached. Repair to base. Losses to breasts, proper left arm, and proper right hand. Abrasions to face and belly. Expected nicks and softening of detail throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with light earthen deposits in recessed areas.
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Central Asia, India, Rajasthan, ca. 14th century CE. A sumptuous panel depicting a standing goddess, perhaps Parvati, hand-carved from red-brown sandstone and sanded smooth. The ancient deity stands contrapposto displaying a belt cord and a frontal sash, with carefully incised striations and spirals adorning her thighs. Beaded necklaces drape around her neck and atop her bosom, and her bangle-adorned arms are stretched behind her in a tantric manner. Her sensitive visage boasts almond-shaped eyes beneath an arched brow, full cheeks, and large-lobed ears, all beneath a neatly arranged coiffure topped with a tall headdress with embellishments indicative of jewels and other precious materials. Size: 9.25" W x 25" H (23.5 cm x 63.5 cm); 26" H (66 cm) on included custom stand.
The Hindu goddess Parvati, also known as Uma, daughter of the mountains, is traditionally understood as the consort of Shiva and is usually presented as a beautiful woman without any superfluous limbs, as we see in this example. When she finally attracted Shiva, after a long and physically grueling courtship, he shared with her the secrets of the world, a conversation that would lead to the dispersal of this elite knowledge amongst the wise. At first Parvati, like most female deities (shakti), was viewed as a minor deity. However, between the 5th and 13th centuries, Parvati became a subject of worship in her own right rather than a mere consort to a male deity, with temples erected in her honor. It was at this time that Parvati became a major deity known as Durga and Kali. This sculpture depicts Parvati in all of her glory.
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-Donald Taitt estate, Paris, France; ex-Aponem Auction, Genicourt, France, "Collection Donald Truitt et a divers - Arts Premiers d'Afrique et d'Oceanie - Archeologie Mediterraneenne et Americaine," June 6, 2019, Lot 345; ex-Cole Harrell collection, New York City, New York, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#165785
Condition Report: Fragment of a larger piece. Head reattached. Repair to base. Losses to breasts, proper left arm, and proper right hand. Abrasions to face and belly. Expected nicks and softening of detail throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with light earthen deposits in recessed areas.
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