Page 67 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art September 2013
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A black stone bust of Padmapani A black stone panel with Shuchismati and Grihapati
Northeast India, Pala/Sena period, 12th century Northeast India, Pala period, 11th century
Elegantly carved pinching the undulating stem of a lotus which blossoms Beautifully and humorously carved with reclining Shuchismati receiving a foot
with robust petals by his left shoulder, the Lord of Compassion with rub from an attendant while baby Grihapati joyfully lies before her raising his
a narrow waist projecting diagonally for the tribhanga pose, wearing right hand to her breast, she supports her head with her left hand and holds
a diaphanous sash and sacred chord draped over his left breast and a lotus with her right, she a wears diaphanous dhoti with classic horizontal
shoulder, adorned with a bands of pearls across his neck, his benevolent striations and a looping sash tied at the waist, her sacred thread rests
expression with a smile, beaked nose, and downcast eyes, flanked by against her right hip and graces across her sensuous stomach and the sash
upturned pendant flower bud earrings and surmounted by a crown with covering one of her full breasts; amongst her abundant jewelry, she wears
ribbons and his hair exquisitely arranged in a high chignon of matted neatly incised arm bands and a three-leaf tiara surmounting her endearing
locks presenting the seated Amitabha. expression with full lips, round cheeks and almond-shaped eyes; flanking her
11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm) high rest are two diminutive goddesses standing on lotus blossoms; below her are
$15,000 - 20,000 supports, and a devotee making offerings of a fire altar full offering bowl;
above are the Saivite emblems of Ganesha, Skanda and the lingam.
Of superior carving, the present lot is as splendid example of Pala/Sena 15 3/4 in. (39.7 cm) long
sculpture. His intricate jewelry, headdress, and sharp facial features were $10,000 - 15,000
designed to catch and reflect the light of flickering lamps, animating the
deity before the devotee. Too, the sinuous lotus stem compliments the The image of the pampered, child-rearing goddess was popular in Bengal
lithe movement of his body. Compare the refinement of these features between the 10th and 12th centuries, where it was most likely commissioned
with that of a Shiva and of attendant figures flanking Buddha on two and consulted by women wishing for progeny (see Pal, Indian Sculpture,
steles held in the in Varendra Research Museum (see Lefevre & Boussac, Los Angeles, 1998, p. 93). The female figure at the bottom register sitting
Chefs-d’oeuvre du delta du Gange, Paris, 2008, p. 67 & 94). before a fire altar and offering bowl probably represents one such donor.
Several similar examples can be seen in Indian museums (see Donaldson,
In the early 11th century the opportunist Chola emperor Rajendra seized Shiva-Parvati and Allied Images, New Delhi, 2007, C-24 & figs 91-2, and
Bengal from the Palas, who were occupied with resisting the Rastrakutas Lefèvre & Boussac, Chefs-d’oeuvre du delta du Gange, Paris, 2007, no. 99.)
to the west, and set up a vassal dynasty, the Senas of Karnataka. With in addition to an example held in a private collection published in Kramrisch,
its slightly chiseled beauty, the present lot reflects a taste that the Senas Manifestations of Shiva, Philadelphia, 1981, no. 68.
appear to have brought with them (Huntington, The “Pala-Sena” Schools
of Sculpture, Leiden, 1984, p. 73). Compare, for instance, the treatment Although debated, the scene most plausibly depicts Schushismati and
and carving of the exterior of two 11th century temples in Lakkundi, Grihapati. Expounded in the Skanda and Shiva puranas. Grihapati was a
Karnataka, in Dhaky, Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture: South divinely precocious boy who was gifted to the childless Vishwaner and
India, New Delhi, 1996, p. 244 & 260.) Schushismati and after the former made pilgrimage to a Shiva linga at
Varanasi. By age 6 he could recite all sacred texts but by 9 a planetary
Provenance: alignment indicated he would soon die. He comforted his parents and set
Private Italian Collection, late 1980s off to complete a penance to conquer death. Indra, acting as a rival to
Shiva, tried to tempt Grihapati into asking for boons and then attacked
him after the latter refused. Shiva intervened and rewarded Grihapati
for his unwavering stoicism and loyalty by granting him immortally and
electing him as the guardian of all directions.
Provenance:
Private Dutch Collection, early 1990s
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