South Asia, India, Gujarat, ca. 10th to 13th century CE. A finely carved stone statue of an elegant celestial musician, lavishly bedecked with an elaborate crown, several beaded strands adorning the neck and torso, armbands, bracelets, earrings, and a bejeweled belt, while playing a horn and standing with the right leg crossed over the left leg in a dance-like swaying pose. The attention to detail is impressive. Notice the petaled flowers adorning her left breast, arm, and earring; the exquisite stone arch that the figure leans against which is intricately decorated with a beaded and stylized leaf border; as well as the front face of the base which is adorned by a meticulously rendered checkerboard motif with squares in alternating positive and negative relief. Quite a remarkable ancient Gujarat statue of a celestial musician! Size: 6.5" L x 10.875" W x 31.375" H (16.5 cm x 27.6 cm x 79.7 cm); 33.625" H (85.4 cm) on included custom stand.

The hornpipe may be a reference an Indian bull horn which is a traditional wind instrument used during festivals or sacred religious ceremonies known as pujas. Also known as a Pepa, Ranasringa, Kombu, and Sringa, this instrument has been used since ancient times and plays an important role in the Bihu festival, the Assamese new year, and the rice harvest festival. According to Dharma, while the cow is honored as a mother who provides nourishing milk, the bull is also respected for its role in agriculture, used for ploughing, transporting, as well as raising crops.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Micklautz collection, Hawaii, USA, collected from 1940-1998

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#163122

Losses to headdress/coiffure/top of head, top of horn, and base as shown. A small section of arch has been reattached at the lower right. Perforation through center of base, perhaps for previous attachment. Expected surface wear with abrasions and chips/nicks to high-pointed areas of figure, horn, and surrounding arch and base. Nice remains of white stucco suggests this statue may have been embellished with pigments at one time.