A RED SANDSTONE RELIEF FRAGMENT

A RED SANDSTONE RELIEF FRAGMENT, CENTRAL INDIA, CIRCA 10TH CENTURY

depicting a bearded attendant holding a mirror, with musicians playing a bow harp and veena in front, a chauri-bearer (?) behind and a further figure seated on a tree above, mounted

87cm high

Provenance: Private collection, England. Acquired Wilkinsons Auctioneers, Doncaster, 23 February 2002. Previously at Sotheby's London, 13 June 1988, lot 259 (illustrated on the front cover).

A possible indication of dating is the depiction of a bow harp which, according to the vendor's conversation with Dr. John Marr (formerly of SOAS, University of London), was seen in early India but had all but disappeared by the 10th century.