**Originally Listed At $1000**

South Asia, India, ca. late 19th century to early 20th CE. A large wooden carving of Virabhadra, a warrior incarnation of Shiva, dynamically posed upon an integral plinth, as if mid dance. His arms are raised, holding a sword in one hand and a discoidal shield in the other. He is adorned in lavish jewelry, intricately beaded across ankles, arms, neck, and ears, and an openwork carved cobra is draped over his shoulder. Below his stepping feet is Daksha, about to be trampled in anger in revenge for Sati's death. This is a highly detailed carving with painted pigments throughout and was likely part of a shrine or temple. Size: 17" L x 6.3" W x 39" H (43.2 cm x 16 cm x 99.1 cm)

Virabhadra, an incarnation of Shiva, was created after Shiva's wife, Sati, was not invited to a great sacrifice given by her father Daksha. Sati, being greatly humiliated, went to the banquet, and threw herself on the sacrificial fire. When Shiva heard of his wife's death, he tore a hair from his head and threw it to the ground. Virabhadra, a great hero-warrior, arose from this hair. He cut off Daksha's head in his rage and hurled it into the sacrificial fire. After the other gods calmed Shiva down, Daksha's head was replaced by that of a goat or in this case, a ram. Daksha later became a devotee of Shiva.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#173897

Repaired, hand reattached and stable fissures on posterior. Flaking and chipping to pigments throughout. Discoloration and fading to pigments. Overall good condition.