Description India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh. A top quality stele Finely carved with the four-armed Shiva seated atop Nandi, holding a staff and a vessel in his left hands, wearing a dhoti and beaded jewelry, his face with almond-shaped eyes, full lips and elongated earlobes with earrings, the matted hair, a symbol of his asceticism, piled into the jatamukuta. To his left a ringed column, a vyalaka and an attendant figure. Provenance From a noted private collection in Belgium acquired in india between 1983 and 1986 Condition Good condition, commensurate with age, extensive wear and losses, nicks and scratches, signs of erosion and weathering, natural cracks. Literature comparison Compare a related relief of Shiva at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, museum number M.74.5.6. check picture Auction result comparison Compare a related figure of Shiva and Parvati seated atop Nandi at Christie’s New York in Indian and Southeast Asian art on 17 September 2003, lot 25, sold for USD 38,240. check picture