South Asia, India, Middle Kingdom period, ca. 900 to 1200 CE. A high relief stone panel carving of the Brahmanical Triad, flanked by a female consort, possibly Saraswati, and smaller celestial attendants. The Brahmanical triad or Trimurti - the Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva- are the sacred trinity representing the supreme deity of Hinduism - in which Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer/transformer are personified as a holy triad. Here the three faces are visible, one facing front and two in profile, framed by a lotus or rosette halo, and the four arms hold attributes of prayer beads and lotus flowers. This panel was once part of a temple or shrine and is wonderfully preserved with beautiful artistry! Size: 21" L x 5" W x 19.5" H (53.3 cm x 12.7 cm x 49.5 cm); 22.5" H (57.2 cm) on included custom stand.

The Trimurti, meaning 3 forms, is considered the trinity of supreme divinity in Hinduism, in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, respectively. Starting in the 8th century CE, Hindus dedicated temples to the Trimurti - the most famous include the Baroli Trimurti Temple, the Elephanta Caves, the Mithrananthapuram Trimurti Temple, the Prambanan Trimurti Temple, Savadi Trimurti Temple, and Thripaya Trimurti Temple.

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Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#179506

Panel is fragment of a larger piece. Upper righthand corner piece is reattached, break is visible on the verso and does not affect overall presentation. Old losses and abrasions, especially to high pointed areas- losses to noses, headdresses, feet, and hands on figures. Minor more recent chips. Softening to finer details, weathering commensurate with age and exposure. Overall excellent.