India, Rajasthan or Madya Pradesh. Finely carved and set in a tiered frame, the apsara standing in a dramatic tribhanga, one hand tightly clasped around the stem of a lotus, richly adorned with beaded jewelry and dressed in a diaphanous dhoti, the face with almond-shaped eyes, smiling lips, and a high chignon.

She is accompanied by a male attendant posed in a slight tribhanga, modestly dressed in a loincloth with a sash falling down his chest, his face with serene expression flanked by pendulous earlobes, and the neatly incised hair tied away from the face.

Provenance: From an old private collection in southern Germany and thence by descent.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Natural flaws, obvious losses, chips, nicks, scratches, abrasions, one hairline along the edge, signs of weathering and erosion, and encrustations.

Weight: 43.2 kg (excl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 60.5 cm (excl. stand)

With an associated wood stand. (2)

The present sculpture is an architectural element that would have been placed high on the wall of a Shaivite temple, so the devotees looked up at it. Consequently, the two gods look down as they encounter the visitor. The narrow ledge on which they stand is emphasized by the position of their feet, only just able to rest securely. Likewise, as they are sculpted in high relief, they seem to press their hips against the backing block. This of course was shaped to form part of the temple wall.

The Chandella dynasty became a great power in Central and Northern India during the 10^th century. Thereafter successive rulers built magnificent temples at Khajuraho and elsewhere in their realm, to commemorate their military victories. As their influence expanded, their exquisite architectural style became admired across much of India, as indeed, it is now around the world. Chandella kings commissioned some of the finest temples in India. The best known of these today are in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, now a village but once the Chandella capital. Other temples, no longer standing, were located throughout their realm.

Expert’s note:
Various stylistic elements indicate that the sculpture dates from the 11^th century. The long straight legs and slender body of each figure are indicative of this date and well illustrate the elegance of the mature Chandella style. In the 10^th century, both male and female figures tend to appear shorter and plumper.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related sandstone sculpture of two beautiful women (surasundari) dressing with an attendant, Madhya Pradesh, 10^th-11^th century, in the Art Institute Chicago, reference number 2021.205. Compare a closely related red sandstone fragment of a donor group, Northern India, 11^th-12^th century, in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, accession number EA1961.168.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 30 September 2022, lot 700
Price: EUR 22,880 or approx. EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pink sandstone architectural corner element with two manifestations of Shiva, Chandella period, Northern India, Rajasthan, mid-11^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving. Note the different subject and that this fragment is a corner element. Note the size (72.5 cm).