A PINK SANDSTONE HEAD OF BRAHMA TRIMURTI, CENTRAL INDIA, POST-GUPTA PERIOD, 7TH CENTURY

A PINK SANDSTONE HEAD OF BRAHMA TRIMURTI, CENTRAL INDIA, POST-GUPTA PERIOD, 7TH CENTURY Published: D.L. Galician, A India Portico Do Norte: Auditorio De Galicia. 1998, p. 72, no. 8. The three-headed deity with a long beard extending down to a srivatsa mark on his chest, adorned with multiple beaded necklaces. Each face with hair pulled into a high chignon secured by an elaborate tiara interlaced with those of the others. Provenance: From a private collection in Spain since 1976. Collection of Carlos Cruañas Dalmau, Barcelona, acquired from the above. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age, with wear. Signs of weathering and erosion, nicks, chips, and losses, the srivatsa mark only partly preserved. Weight: 18.6 kg (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 44.8 cm (incl. stand), 38.4 cm (excl. stand) Mounted on a recent metal stand. Literature comparison: Compare a related post-Gupta period sandstone figure of Brahma, 36.8 cm high, dated to the 7th century, in the Brooklyn Museum, accession number 1994.199.2. Compare a related depiction of Brahma on a stone wall panel from the 8th century Kailash Temple in Ellora, Maharashtra, India. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 12 September 2012, lot 582 Price: USD 50,000 or approx. EUR 63,924 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A red sandstone figure of Brahma, India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, 11th/12th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and carving manner. Note the preserved torso and arms. Note the size (80 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 16 September 2014, lot 229 Price: USD 11,250 or approx. EUR 14,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A red sandstone head of Brahma, India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, 10th/11th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related state of preservation and identical subject. Note the slightly different modeling. Note the significantly smaller size (25.4 cm).