Ardhanarishvara Statue - Antique Baphuon Style Khmer Sandstone Standing Shiva Parvati Statue - 57cm/23"

Measures - (Height) 57cm/23"

An antique Baphuon style stone Ardhanarishvara statue. 

This unusual sculpture represents Ardhanarishvara, the Hindu deity who is half Shiva and half Parvati, making the image half male and half female.

The head has a roughly cylindrical jata (chignon), in the Baphuon style.

The Shiva side, of the face, displays a narrow moustache in low relief that is balanced by a beauty line beyond the edge of the mouth, in low relief, on the Parvati side.  The Parvati side a highly decorated earring whilst both sides present scalloped inner ears rims.

The eyebrow ridge is slightly arched, ridged and crosses the bridge of the nose as became popular from the earlier Khleang period. The Shiva side also displays his third eye.

The sculpture embodies authority with its iconic downcast gaze and large unexpressive face. The general silhouette is heavier. The carving is beautiful as you can see in the fine details of the face. Each detail is rendered perfectly. The features suggest the prana, or inner breath, that signifies superhuman power. 

The sculpture is loose mounted on a wood block but presented in the round. It is clear that the artist anticipated this sculpture being enjoyed from all sides.

Provenance: Ex- private London Collection.

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