Lot 29
  • 29

Standing Shiva Sandstone Khmer, Baphuon style

Estimate
300,000 - 500,000 USD
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Description

  • Standing Shiva
  • Sandstone
  • height 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm)

Provenance

Private English collection, acquired 1960s

Condition

In good stable overall condition. The lower back edge of the plinth upon which the figure is standing has been reinforced. Breaks to both ankles and both knees have been repaired and touched up. A diagonal break on the figure's central section from upper left waist to lower right thigh and has also been repaired and touched up. There is a very thin scratch on the figure's chest (visible in the catalogue illustration). All the breaks described are clean and repairs have virtually no infill. There are 2 places on the back of the head above the chignon and below where there has been slight loss to the stone. The surface of the sculpture bears some signs of wear due to age but has a very high polish overall. An MRI scan of the sculpture is available upon request.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

This finely-polished, exquisitely-carved sculpture of Shiva is identifiable by the third eye on his forehead.  His ascetic's locks are piled above his head in a braided chignon, his deeply meditative face with a protruding lower lip and cleft jaw. The wide shoulders taper down to a narrow waist before flaring out into full hips encased by a finely pleated sampot with one end arranged in fan-shaped folds in the front, secured by a belt tied with a 'fish-tail' sash in front and terminating in a 'butterfly knot' behind, a ubiquitous feature of the Baphuon style.

This exceptional figure exemplifies the highest achievements of the Baphuon School and is arguably amongst the best of its kind. The perfectly-proportioned, well-modeled volumes flow harmoniously forming an organic, breathing entity that exudes sensuality and grace. The expressive face with its haughty countenance emanates wrath and beneficence capturing the essence of Shiva, and bears elements of portraiture synchronous with the Khmer devaraja (King as God) cult.

For another closely-related sculpture of the deity, see W. Felten and M. Lerner, Thai and Cambodian Sculpture, Stuttgart, 1988, cat. 24. Also see ibid, cat. 27, for a larger, more complete example.