A SANDSTONE STELE WITH A GODDESS


NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY20 1/8 in. (51 cm) high
|This stele depicts three divine figures, identified by their halos. The male figure on the left holds the remnants of a lotus bud in his raised hand, and may represent one of Vishnu's ayudhapurushas: a personification of Vishnu's lotus attribute. The central, buxom goddess holds a lotus stem in her right hand and might represent either Ganga or Yamuna, personifications of two sacred rivers in North India commonly featured on door jambs of Hindu and Jain temples. Alternatively, the central goddess may represent one of Vishnu's consorts, Shri Devi. These figures' physiognomy and jewelry reflect a style seen throughout North India, from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh. Compare a stele of a female attendant in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (69.28.1) attributed to Madhya Pradesh, and another of Vishnu sold at Christie's, London, 11 May 2016, lot 7, attributed to Rajasthan. Provenance Collection of Fay and William Bullock King (1911-73), South Carolina Thence by descent The Charleston Library Society, South Carolina, 1992-2019