G760.4 A POLISHED BLACK STONE HEAD OF A DEITY
WESTERN INDIA, PROBABLY RAJASTHAN

11^TH – 12^TH CENTURY

H. 20 CMS, 8 INS

An outstanding polished black stone head of a deity with an elaborate multi-facetted headdress with a central lotus bud and intricately braided hair, with a subtle smile, sweeping brows and serene almond-shaped eyes, wearing large extravagant earrings and a beaded choker.

For a related head from Bikaner see plate XXXII in C. Sivaramamurti, Masterpieces of Indian Sculpture, New Dehi: National Museum, 1996.

Provenance: Private English Collection.

Acquired during the family’s long service in India between 1946 and 1967.