**Holiday Shipping Deadlines**
USA Domestic: 12/14 for Standard; 12/23 for Express


International: 12/7 for Standard; 12/19 for Express


Central Asia, India, Gupta Empire Period, ca. late 3rd to late 6th century CE. A lovely fragment of a devotional panel carved from a reddish sandstone, depicting a woman who is probably a dancer, serving as an attendant or celebrant in a worshipful scene. She stands in a sensuous post, wearing only a skirt and elaborate belt, necklace, earrings, and bracelets. Her face tilts upward as if gazing at someone. One arm is raised, the other resting against her hip. Her face features slender ovoid eyes, a distinctive nose, full lips, and large ears; her expression is rapt. Size: 4.25" W x 10.5" H (10.8 cm x 26.7 cm); 15.55" H (39.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Temples in ancient India were built of brick, with carved stone images like this one set into wall niches. The Gupta period is sometimes referred to as India's Golden Age, when imperial patronage allowed the arts to flourish; this period had great influence on subsequent periods, like that of the Pala Empire and Kashmir. Their refined artistic forms are characterized by fluid, almost whimsical carving, with gentle curves and a geometric attention to symmetry and shape. Many of the artists creating sculptures like this came from the monastic complex of Sarnath.

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#151184

Piece is a fragment of a larger sculpture, with losses a shown. One breast is partially fractured. The surface is weathered and features nice deposits in many places. The details of the face, body, one arm, and other arm's hand are all in nice condition.