Khmer Empire, 13th century. Representing the seated Shiva with Parvati resting on his knee, Shiva holding a lotus sprig in his right hand and his lower left arm wraps around Parvati's back, each with almond shaped eyes, the head surmounted by a decorative headdress, and flanked by pendulous earrings.

Provenance: Tony Anninos, California, USA, 2001. LP collection, Paris, France, acquired from the above. Tony Anninos is a well-regarded dealer, expert, and collector of Asian art including Tibetan, Chinese, Khmer, and Gandharan works of art. He has written articles for important publications including Orientations and Arts of Asia, and he is the author of 'The Ancient Amulets of Tibet - Thokcha: A Private Collection of 108 Miniature Masterpieces' and a co-author of 'Wooden Wonders: Tibetan Furniture in Secular and Religious Life'.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, few small nicks, tiny dents, light scratches, encrustations.

Weight: 22.8 g
Dimensions: Height 2.8 cm

Uma-Maheshvara represents the sacred embrace, alingana, of the Lord Shiva joined with the Goddess Uma (Parvati). The Great Ascetic, Shiva, who was overcome with the beauty of Uma, Daughter of the Mountain, succumbed to their union for the benefit of his devotees (S. Kramrisch, Manifestations of Shiva, Philadelphia, 1981, page 57). It is through their sensual relationship that they are meant to become a gateway for the devotee to enter their sacred realm.