A MONUMENTAL GRANITE FIGURE OF SHIVA AS BHAIRAVA, CHOLA PERIOD

A MONUMENTAL GRANITE FIGURE OF SHIVA AS BHAIRAVA, CHOLA PERIOD South India, Tamil Nadu, 11th-12th century. Superbly and deeply carved standing in samabhanga accompanied by his dog vahana (vehicle), the deity’s primary hands holding a trishula (trident) and kapala (skull cup), and the secondary hands clasped around a damaru (drum) and a snake. Richly adorned in beaded jewelry and a mundamala, the deity’s matted hair is tied up and stands erect as flames of a fire, forming a dramatic halo. The head of his canine mount peeks out from one side with the tail curling in a spiral to the other. Provenance: French private collection. A copy of a signed expertise and appraisal by Bernard Le Gall, Galerie Arts et Civilisations, Quimper, France, dated 27 March 2013, confirming the dating above, and stating the value of the present lot as EUR 20,000 or approx. EUR 24,000 (adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), accompanies this lot. Condition: Good condition, commensurate to age. Wear, obvious losses, signs of weathering and erosion, tiny nicks, few chips, and natural imperfections, presenting beautifully. Weight: 62.7 kg Dimensions: Height 94.8 cm (excl. stand), 102 cm (incl. stand) With an associated metal stand. (2) Bhairava is accompanied by a dog, which is the usual iconography of Shiva in his fierce form, thronging the burning grounds. Here, Bhairava is depicted nude and as a mendicant he is seen begging for food from the rishipatnis, wives of the seers. 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 closely related figure of Bhairava, late Chola period, 13th century, 87 cm tall, in the collection of the Napier Museum, Tamil Nadu, accession number S 4. Compare a closely related figure of Bhairava, Chola period, late 11th century, 85 cm tall, in the collection of the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, accession number 2000-03945. Compare a closely related figure of Shiva as Bhairava, early 13th century, 78.7 cm tall, in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.70.42.4. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 21 March 2012, lot 282 Estimate: USD 50,0000 or approx. EUR 63,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: Vishnu Granite South India, Chola Period Expert remark: Compare the related form and similar modelling. Note the size (121.9 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 March 2019, lot 644 Price: USD 40,000 or approx. EUR 45,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A granite figure of Bhairava, South Indian, Chola period, 13th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and similar modelling. Note the losses and smaller size (83.2 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2007, lot 260 Price: USD 22,800 or approx. EUR 32,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A granite figure of Bhairava, South India, Tamil Nadu, Chola period, 13th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and similar carving. Note the larger size (126.4 cm).