South Asia, India, 11th to 12th century CE. A sensual stone sculpture depicting a celestial female beauty known as an apsara - a female spirit of the clouds and waters - standing in tribhanga conveying rhythmic fluidity and youthful energy. Dancing playfully with her arms raised above her head, the voluptuous deity boasts an hourglass figure with a dhoti hanging from her broad hips and strings of beads falling between her buoyant breasts. Befitting of an apsara, this angelic being is depicted as a beautiful, youthful female, particularly adept in the art of seductive movement. According to Indian religions, apsaras are the consorts of Gandharvas (the court musicians of Indra) and dance to the music played by their Gandharvas. Despite their seemingly lascivious nature, they are believed to be supernatural, ethereal beings who reside in the sky world, akin to angels. Such a lovely and sensual apsara dancer would have been part of the niches around a temple, welcoming the worshippers. Size: 9.8" W x 19" H (24.9 cm x 48.3 cm); 22" H (55.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Relief sculpture of deities and other beautiful celestial figures and dancers adorned nearly every inch of some temples from this time period, one of which is the famous Dilwara Temple in Mount Abu. For similar images of stylistically similar examples, please see the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine arts online collection, image number: MS.2019.01.3148.

Provenance: private Pasadena, California, USA collection; ex-private estate collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, formed between 1970 and 2000

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#180938

Fragment of a larger piece; missing lower part of legs. Chipping to nose and mouth, as well as expected nicks and abrasions to surface. Otherwise, nice presentation with good remaining details and light earthen deposits throughout.