**Originally Listed At $4000**

Central Asia, India, Middle Kingdoms period, ca. 11th to 12th century CE. A large, high relief carving, made from a warm, pinkish sandstone, depicting the Hindu goddess Parvati standing in a sensuous pose, leaning forward at the waist. One arm crosses her body to meet the other, which holds a long implement over her shoulder. At her feet is a monkey, seated with legs crossed and hands placed in a sacred gesture. The details of her clothing and ornament are carefully depicted, giving an impression of wealth and decadence, with matching bracelets and anklets and an incredibly ornate skirt and necklace. Parvati is the mother goddess, associated with fertility, love, and devotion - but in some incarnations, like as Durga, she is fierce and warlike; as Kali, she is the powerful destroyer of evil forces. Here, she is depicted as her main incarnation. Size: 10.5" W x 25.5" H (26.7 cm x 64.8 cm); 26.75" H (67.9 cm) on included custom stand.

The Middle Kingdoms period - a period with a multitude of rulers and kingdoms across the subcontinent - was part of the era of classical Hinduism, dated from ca. 200 BCE to 1100 CE. Artwork made during this period must be understood as deeply ritualistic and spiritual. This piece was made to be a decoration in the wall of a temple or palace. Imagine entering a place decorated with a multitude of carved gods on the walls!

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; Upper East Side, New York, USA private collection; acquired from David Killen

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#129629

Repaired at center back. Piece is a fragment as shown, with the head missing and part of the arm lost.