Madhya Pradesh / Bundelkhand – Chandela Dynasty

Important fragment in pinkish-red sandstone, carved in very high relief and largely perforated, depicting a masculine-feminine romantic couple (mithuna), accompanied in the lower part by an elephantine figure integrated into the decor. The work belongs to medieval sculpture of central India, Madhya Pradesh / Bundelkhand, and shows strong affinities with the productions of the Chandela dynasty, particularly with the artistic milieu of Khajuraho. It can be dated to the late 10th – early 11th century, around 975–1050. The couple is represented in a stance of intimacy that is particularly expressive: the two faces meet as the bodies, tightly interwoven, create a composition that is both sensuous and highly dynamic. The figures are richly adorned with necklaces, bracelets, armlets, belts, and large ear-pieces. The carefully structured hairstyles and the ample modeling of the bodies are characteristic of refined central Indian sculpture around the year 1000. The relief is also distinguished by the exceptional depth of its size. The spaces between the arms, bodies, and legs are broadly hollowed, giving certain parts a nearly free-standing sculptural quality. The continuous base and the large curving border confirm that it was originally an architectural element of a temple. The secondary figure located in the lower part exhibits elephantine features. Given its fragmentary state and its stylization, it is deliberately described with caution as an elephantine figure or composite creature of predominantly elephantine aspect, belonging to the rich vocabulary of fantasy in Indian medieval religious architecture. The surface shows a beautiful variety of pinkish-red, beige, and gray tones, as well as ancient and differentiated weathering, particularly visible on the projecting parts. Deposits and inlays remain in the sheltered areas. These characteristics, together with the carving technique, the perforation, and the construction of the relief, are fully consistent with the antiquity attributed to the work. Condition: good overall given the age and the architectural nature of the piece. Old wear and weathering, surface deposits, peripheral losses and chips, as well as some small incidents. The two main figures, their faces, their adornments, and the essential composition remain remarkably legible. No major restoration is clearly visible. Dimensions: 42 × 36 × 13 cm Weight: 13.8 kg Material: pinkish-red sandstone Provenance: private Belgian collection; acquired in India in 2007. A declaration of provenance accompanies the work. The piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and detailed attribution, issued after examination of the work and cross-checking with the scholarly and museum corpus dedicated to central Indian sculpture and Chandela productions. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0856vsfjmaji2eqr7h283/AHMHk2lIHTyu9ilB0FYfH38?rlkey=wee2jnpy5a5048uj8wrg6nvdc&dl=0

Estimation:€23,000

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