249 - Head of a deity, northern or central India, Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh region, Gurjara-Pratihara period, late 9th–10th century

Head of a deity, northern or central India, Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh region, Gurjara-Pratihara period, late 9th–10th century A carved brown sandstone head depicting a deity with an oval face and regular features, almond-shaped eyes with pupils indicated by fine incisions, slightly arched eyebrows, and delicately drawn lips. The hair is styled in a high jatāmukuṭa-style coiffure, arranged in parallel strands and held in place by an ornate headband, while strands fall down the sides and back of the head. The elongated ears are devoid of any adornments. The treatment of the face, hair, and eyes shows similarities to sandstone sculpture from North and Central India during the Gurjara-Pratihara period, particularly in the regions of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The absence of any preserved attributes makes it impossible to determine with certainty the identity of the deity, who may be a devatā or a female deity of the Gauri-Parvati type. Height: 23.5 cm Fragmentary condition; the head is broken off at the neck, with chips and wear, particularly on the ears, nose, and headdress.