inde red sandstone Relief in red sandstone depicting a Shaivite guardian, probably Bhairava - 36 cm
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Red sandstone relief depicting a Shaivite guardian, probably Bhairava, from North India (Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh), dating to the late 8th–early 9th century, in very good condition.
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Description from the seller
Important architectural relief in red sandstone depicting a Shaivite guardian, probably Bhairava
North India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, 8th–9th century
Important and powerful architectural relief in red sandstone representing a Shaivite deity with four arms, probably Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva, depicted in a slightly tribhanga posture.
The deity holds in his upper right hand a trishula (trident), one of Shiva’s major attributes, while the upper left hand presents a multi-headed naga. The lower left hand supports a kapala, or skull-cap. The remarkable association of the trident, serpent and skull-cap firmly places this figure in the Shaivite iconographic sphere and strongly supports its identification as Bhairava or a guardian manifestation closely linked to Shiva.
The figure is richly adorned with jewelry: a pearl necklace, armbands, bracelets and large earrings. An upavita, or sacred cord, crosses diagonally the chest. The body, powerful yet supple, is treated with remarkable economy of means, while the face shows an especially serene expression: almond-shaped eyes with lowered lids, strongly arched brows, lips forming a slight smile and an exceptionally dense beard composed of small carefully sculpted curls.
The elaborate coiffure, composed of tresses swept up and arranged into a substantial ascetic mass, further reinforces the Shaivite character of the figure.
Despite the fearsome aspect commonly associated with Bhairava, iconographic sources also attest to depictions of the god imbued with calm majesty. This trait is particularly interesting here, where the powerfully Shaivite attributes contrast with the deep serenity of the face.
The sculpture was likely not intended to be an independent cult image. The substantial thickness of the block, the largely rough reverse, and the irregular breaks on the sides indicate that it originally belonged to an architectural ensemble of a temple, probably a wall, a niche, or a sculptural program related to a monumental entrance.
This interpretation finds a particularly relevant parallel in Stella Kramrisch, Manifestations of Shiva, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1981, no. 76, which publishes a fragment of a Shaivite guardian (dvarapala) in red sandstone, from Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh and dated to the 8th century. Kramrisch relates this guardian to an architectural panel representing the river goddess Ganga and notes that these sculptures belonged to the same monumental complex. This parallel provides an important point of comparison for the architectural function, material, region and chronology of the present sculpture.
Provenance:
Former private collection of Jean-Marc Andral, Belgium.
Acquired on the local art market in Rajasthan, India, in October 1990.
A provenance statement written and signed by Jean-Marc Andral, dated July 21, 2024, accompanies the sculpture.
Material: red sandstone
Origin: North India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh
Dating: 8th–9th century
Height: 34 cm excluding base
Weight: 13.8 kg excluding base
Weight with base: 20.9 kg
Condition:
Very good overall condition given the age and archaeological nature of the piece. Significant traces of wear and ancient erosion, losses, chips and scattered small jolts, concretions and surface alterations. Several parts are fragmentary, notably at the extremities of the relief, in keeping with its ancient architectural function. Surfaces, breaks and worn areas are visible in detail in the numerous photographs and must be examined carefully to fully assess the conservation state.
Documentation:
A detailed comparative and iconographic study devoted to this sculpture, including bibliographic research, museum comparisons, iconographic study and analysis of architectural function, accompanies the lot.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8t8uls4zfn0h6l3urc1g5/AADg5dbUhjHb6fA_lzKyXIM?rlkey=yaj24zitl5pwtk6t7cqwku7dx&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateImportant architectural relief in red sandstone depicting a Shaivite guardian, probably Bhairava
North India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, 8th–9th century
Important and powerful architectural relief in red sandstone representing a Shaivite deity with four arms, probably Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva, depicted in a slightly tribhanga posture.
The deity holds in his upper right hand a trishula (trident), one of Shiva’s major attributes, while the upper left hand presents a multi-headed naga. The lower left hand supports a kapala, or skull-cap. The remarkable association of the trident, serpent and skull-cap firmly places this figure in the Shaivite iconographic sphere and strongly supports its identification as Bhairava or a guardian manifestation closely linked to Shiva.
The figure is richly adorned with jewelry: a pearl necklace, armbands, bracelets and large earrings. An upavita, or sacred cord, crosses diagonally the chest. The body, powerful yet supple, is treated with remarkable economy of means, while the face shows an especially serene expression: almond-shaped eyes with lowered lids, strongly arched brows, lips forming a slight smile and an exceptionally dense beard composed of small carefully sculpted curls.
The elaborate coiffure, composed of tresses swept up and arranged into a substantial ascetic mass, further reinforces the Shaivite character of the figure.
Despite the fearsome aspect commonly associated with Bhairava, iconographic sources also attest to depictions of the god imbued with calm majesty. This trait is particularly interesting here, where the powerfully Shaivite attributes contrast with the deep serenity of the face.
The sculpture was likely not intended to be an independent cult image. The substantial thickness of the block, the largely rough reverse, and the irregular breaks on the sides indicate that it originally belonged to an architectural ensemble of a temple, probably a wall, a niche, or a sculptural program related to a monumental entrance.
This interpretation finds a particularly relevant parallel in Stella Kramrisch, Manifestations of Shiva, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1981, no. 76, which publishes a fragment of a Shaivite guardian (dvarapala) in red sandstone, from Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh and dated to the 8th century. Kramrisch relates this guardian to an architectural panel representing the river goddess Ganga and notes that these sculptures belonged to the same monumental complex. This parallel provides an important point of comparison for the architectural function, material, region and chronology of the present sculpture.
Provenance:
Former private collection of Jean-Marc Andral, Belgium.
Acquired on the local art market in Rajasthan, India, in October 1990.
A provenance statement written and signed by Jean-Marc Andral, dated July 21, 2024, accompanies the sculpture.
Material: red sandstone
Origin: North India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh
Dating: 8th–9th century
Height: 34 cm excluding base
Weight: 13.8 kg excluding base
Weight with base: 20.9 kg
Condition:
Very good overall condition given the age and archaeological nature of the piece. Significant traces of wear and ancient erosion, losses, chips and scattered small jolts, concretions and surface alterations. Several parts are fragmentary, notably at the extremities of the relief, in keeping with its ancient architectural function. Surfaces, breaks and worn areas are visible in detail in the numerous photographs and must be examined carefully to fully assess the conservation state.
Documentation:
A detailed comparative and iconographic study devoted to this sculpture, including bibliographic research, museum comparisons, iconographic study and analysis of architectural function, accompanies the lot.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8t8uls4zfn0h6l3urc1g5/AADg5dbUhjHb6fA_lzKyXIM?rlkey=yaj24zitl5pwtk6t7cqwku7dx&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
inde
Century/timeframe
fin VIIIe– début IXe siècle
Name of object
Relief in red sandstone depicting a Shaivite guardian, probably Bhairava
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2024
Material
red sandstone
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Very good condition, as expected for its age and vintage.
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
36 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Width
24.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
India
Depth
13 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
