South Asia, India, Rajasthan, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. A breathtaking sandstone sculpture of a dancing surasundari or divine beauty boasting a quixotic visage and voluptuous breasts as she twists her torso and raises both arms. Crowned by an elaborate coiffure of a coiled top bun and an arched headdress, the stunning deity gazes outward from slender eyes beneath a sweeping brow; her seductive countenance displaying a sharp nose, full cheeks, and bow lips in an alluring smile. Sizeable ears protrude from either side of her head, each decorated with heavy, beaded adornments, while a thick, collar necklace embellishes her clavicle and prayer beads or japamala fall between her breasts. A column with raised horizontal lines can be seen on her verso. Size: 13.9" L x 11.6" W x 22.2" H (35.3 cm x 29.5 cm x 56.4 cm); 28.8" H (73.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Surviving ancient reliefs and carvings from monuments, religious sites, tombs, and palaces - being some of the most durable forms of art - inform us about the beliefs of ancient peoples throughout the world and human history. How remarkable that virtually all cultures have felt the need to express their creative sides in this vein.

Cf. National Museums Scotland, A.1971.704 and Metropolitan Museum of Art, 69.247. A similar sandstone sculpture of a more petite scale hammered for $87,500 at Bonhams New York as lot 78 on March 17th, 2014 (Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art auction).

Piece is accompanied by an additional custom metal stand (not shown in photos) measuring 11.9" L x 14.9" W x 48" H (30.2 cm x 37.8 cm x 121.9 cm). Stand may be shipped with piece for an additional cost to the buyer.

Provenance: private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection, acquired in 2007 from B.C. Galleries, Armadale, Australia

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#173693

Fragment of a larger piece. Professionally repaired with restoration over some break lines and other break lines visible. Some nicks, chips, and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice preservation of detail.