FROM CLASSICAL TO CONTEMPORARY (6-7 DECEMBER 2017)

LAKSHMI NARAYANA

RAJASTHAN, CIRCA 8

CENTURY

Schist

27.25 in (69.5 cm) high

$ 18,750 ‒ 28,125

Rs 12,00,000 ‒ 18,00,000

NON‒EXPORTABLE

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE

Property from an Important Family Collection

he sculpture depicts Lord Narayana, a manifestation

of Vishnu, with his consort, Lakshmi, both with halos

around their heads. Standing in

samapada,

Narayana

holds a conch and probably a discus. Narayana’s coiffure

resembles a crown, and his soft facial features form a pleasing

demeanour. His vestments and ornaments are meticulously

detailed. Narayana’s rear left hand embraces Lakshmi lovingly,

who is carved with equal attention to detail.

Lakshmi’s lower garment is secured with a belt. The sash

draped around her lower body goes around her left arm,

and each crease and fold is detailed with care. The sash, and

Lakshmi’s narrow waist, are features seen in sculptures from

the early period. Standing in

samapada

, Lakshmi holds a rosary

in her right hand, and a water pot in her left. The water pot

was an attribute characteristic of early sculptures of Lakshmi,

and was later replaced by other attributes. To Lakshmi’s right

is a bow, an uncommon attribute. The sculpture is carved

in high relief, and is a rare and early example of its type. The

grouping closely corresponds with early representations of

Shiva Parvati and various elements can be interpreted for

both iconographies.