Khmer-Style Sandstone Head of Shiva – 18th-19th Century – 26.5 cm

Description

A substantial Khmer-style sandstone head of Shiva, dating to the 18th-19th century, carved fully in the round and weighing an impressive 11.65 kg. The deity is represented with a calm, meditative expression, almond-shaped eyes, gently arched brows, elongated earlobes and a softly modelled mouth. The elaborate coiffure rises into a prominent piled topknot, richly worked with repeating incised and braided motifs that continue around the entire head. The warm brown stone, together with its natural inclusions, surface wear and tonal variations, gives the sculpture a strong architectural and archaeological presence. With a height of 26.5 cm, the head has considerable visual impact and reflects the enduring influence of classical Khmer religious sculpture in later Southeast Asian stone carving. Provenance: acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s; formerly in the Dr Ince Collection, North-West London, United Kingdom.