A SANDSTONE FIGURE OF SHIVA AS BHAIRAVA, 9TH-11TH CENTURY

A SANDSTONE FIGURE OF SHIVA AS BHAIRAVA, 9TH-11TH CENTURY Central India, Uttar Pradesh. Superbly and deeply carved standing in a slight tribhanga accompanied by his dog vahana (vehicle), the deity holding a large gada (mace) in his left hand, while the right falls pendant. Richly adorned in beaded jewelry and a mundamala, the deity’s matted hair is tied up and stands erect, forming a dramatic halo. The bearded face carved with a serene expression with almond shaped eyes under arched brows, flanked by ears with pendulous earrings. One recumbent devotee kneels to his foot, with hands folded in adoration. Inscriptions: One dedicatory inscription carved to the base of the figure. Provenance: From a large Italian collection of Tibetan, Indian, and Gandhara sculptures, and others works of art, acquired c. 1970s. Jonathan Tucker, Antonia Tozer, Asian Art, London, 2019. Hungarian private collection, acquired from the above. A copy of a signed certificate from Jonathan Tucker, Antonia Tozer, Asian Art, London, dated 28 November 2019, confirming the dating and provenance above, accompanies this lot. Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Minor wear, some signs of weathering, small nicks, minuscule chips, shallow scratches, and natural imperfections. Weight: 18 kg Dimensions: Height 59.4 cm The dog is an animal associated with Bhairava because of its nature of scavenging human flesh. This imagery highlights the ascetic aspect of Shiva's personality. Literature comparison: Compare a related figure of Bhairava, Uttar Pradesh, dated 9th century, in the collection of the Allahabad Museum, accession number AM-SCL-881. Compare a related figure of Bhairava, Uttar Pradesh, 9th century, in the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, accession number 68.8.10.