South Asia, India, ca. 11th to 12th century CE. A marvelous hand-carved stone stele of Bhairava (also known as Mahakala Bhairava or Kala Bhairava in Hindu), a wrathful form of the Hindu god Shiva who protects his devotees from their enemies, depicted standing atop an integral plinth with a decorative pointed arch behind him. The fierce deity displays 4 arms, ornamented with a range of twisted serpents, which serve as earrings bracelets and anklets. A small dog, known as Shvan, who serves as his sacred mount or divine vahana (vehicle), is shown seated to his left side. His hands hold each of his weapons, including a sword, a noose, a trident, and an axe. The intimidating divinity is both nude yet heavily adorned wearing a towering headdress and a lengthy, as well as platform sandals, anklets, and a slender belt. A petite figure stands on right side. Size: 14" W x 30.5" H (35.6 cm x 77.5 cm); 32.5" H (82.6 cm) on included custom stand.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-David Swope collection, Westchester, New York, USA, in the 1970s

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#164554

Surface wear with minor nicks, abrasions, and softening of detail, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with lovely mossy encrustations throughout.