Page 86 - 2019 September 11th Christie's New York Chiense Art Himalayan bronzes and art

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE CALIFORNIA COLLECTION

338
A BUFF SANDSTONE FIGURE OF AN ASCETIC FORM OF SHIVA
KHMER, ANGKOR WAT STYLE, 12TH-13TH CENTURY
21æ in. (55.3 cm.) high

$20,000-30,000

PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s London, 14 November 1988, lot 37.
The present fgure, with distended earlobes and a long goatee, wearing a
rope-suspended loin cloth, represents an ascetic form of Shiva, in which he
disguised as a Brahmin ascetic and went to the forest to interrupt Parvati
while she performed penance (tapas). When Shiva reveals himself, he retains
the pointed beard which is also depicted in this sculpture. This fgure’s sharply
defned hairline, cylindrical chignon encircled by beaded bands, wide eyes,
full lips, and placid smile characterize the Bayon style of sculpture which
embraced an idealized human aesthetic. Compare with another fgure of Shiva
as an ascetic from the collection of Robert Hatfeld Ellsworth, sold at Christie’s
New York, 12 September 2018, lot 341.

A buf sandstone fgure of Shiva; Khmer,
Angkor period, Bayon style, 12th-13th
century; 43 ¾ in. (111 cm.) high; sold at
Christie’s New York, 12 September 2018,
lot 341, for US $100,000.