Pala Blackstone Stele Fragment featuring Shiva and Parvati

SKU: HQ.0105

Origin: Mediterranean
Circa: 4th to 5th century AD
Dimensions: 55" high x 68" wide (140 cm x 73 cm)
Medium: Marble

This beautiful stele fragment depicts the divine couple of Shiva and Parvati together known as Uma-maheshvara. In this intimate composition we see Shiva’s primary right hand touching his consort’s chin affectionately, while his left hand holds the trishula (trident) and his secondary right hand holds a lotus. Uma is depicted with one arm draped around Shiva's shoulders, and her left hand holding a mirror. The finely-grained stone retains its rich color and beautiful surface, further highlighting the deep carving. The jewelry for both figures is rendered with great attention to detail.  So much so that the sculptor has even effectively conveyed the heaviness of the metal that comprised Shiva’s earrings, expressed by his extended and drooping earlobe. 

$3,500.00

Private Los Angeles collection, previously in an important Canadian academic collection

The stele broken in half, with losses to the uppermost left hand portion of the border. Intricate detail preserved throughout with losses to the face of Shiva, the top of his crown, and foremost right hand. Significant loss to the body of Parvati, some minor encrustation.

Uma-Maheshvara represents the sacred embrace, alingana, of the Lord Shiva joined with the Goddess Uma. The Great Ascetic, Lord Shiva, who was overcome with the beauty of Uma, Daughter of the Mountain, succumbed to their union for the benefit of his devotees. Their union is principally metaphysical, though during the Pala period, Shiva and Uma's relationship can be most immediately observed through their corporeal interplay. It is through their sensual relationship that they are meant to become a gateway for the devotee to enter their sacred realm.

In this sculpture, Shiva’s primary arms lovingly caress Uma, with one hand brushing the underside of her chin with his fingertips while the other arm (now lost) would have firmly held the underside of her breast and torso. There is contrast between the lightness of his fingers and the strength of his arm around her torso, and this contrast between his tenderness and power is also played out in the attributes he holds. The secondary left arm holds the trishula “representing his invincibility” while in his second right arm, the peaceful and beautiful lotus signifies a balance of elements in his nature.

For the motif see National Museum, New Delhi Archive no 2693.

S. Kramrisch, Manifestations of Shiva, Philadelphia, 1981, p. 57

S. L. and J.C. Huntington, The Leaves from the Bodhi Tree: The Art of Pala India (8th-12th centuries) and Its International Legacy, Seattle, 1990, p. 143

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