? A FINE GRAY SANDSTONE PANEL DEPICTING AMOROUS COUPLES, MITHUNA, CHANDELA PERIOD, 10TH-11TH CENTURY Central India, Madhya Pradesh. This finely executed relief depicts a couple shown in a passionate embrace, flanked by a male and female attendant to the side who gently support the couple. The faces detailed with almond shaped eyes framed by a finely combed coiffure and their bodies adorned in beaded necklaces and armlets.
Provenance: From a private collection in England.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, encrustations, small chips, one foot of the male attendant reattached, scattered nicks, and scratches. The base with wear and age cracks.
Weight: 4.7 kg (excl. stand), 5.8 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 25.2 cm (excl. stand), 29.4 cm (incl. stand)
With a fitted wood stand. (2)
A Hindu temple was often envisioned as the world's central axis, in the form of a mountain inhabited by a god. The temple itself was therefore worshiped. This was done by circumambulation (walking around the exterior, in this case in a counterclockwise direction) and by viewing its small inner sanctum. The outside of the temple was usually covered with myriad reliefs: some portrayed aspects of the god within or related deities; others represented the mountain's mythological inhabitants. From early times, iconic representations of deities and holy figures were augmented by auspicious images, such as beautiful women, musicians, and loving couples (mithunas).
The temples of Khajuraho are known for the harmonious integration of sculptures with their architecture. All surfaces are profusely carved with anthropomorphic and non-anthropomorphic motifs depicting sacred and secular themes. Sculptures depicting acts of worship, clan and minor deities, and couples in union, all reflect the sacred belief system. Other themes mirror social life through depictions of domestic scenes, teachers and disciples, dancers and musicians, and amorous couples. It's noteworthy that while these erotic sculptures are prominent, they constitute less than 10% of the temple's artwork.
The Chandela dynasty became a great power in Central and Northern India during the 10th 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.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related sandstone architectural fragment of two lovers, dated to the 13th century, 72 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 1970.44.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Zacke, Vienna, 10 April 2025, lot 199
Price: EUR 26,000 inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pink sandstone relief depicting amorous couples, Mithuna, Chandela period, 10th-11th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and stone. Note the size (67 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 19 March 2008, lot 278
Price: USD 8,125 or approx. EUR 10,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Mithuna couple buff sandstone, Central India
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, material, and carving style. Note the size (49.5 cm).
---以下为第三方软件翻译，仅供参考---
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Gallery Zacke takes care of shipping and quotes postage upon request. The purchased goods are transported at the risk of the customer following handover of the packaged item to the post office or another carrier which the customer agrees to through his/her submission of the purchase order. According to specific wish of the customer, the auctioned goods may be insured for the value of the purchase price (highest bid and surcharge). This insurance fee is 3% of the purchase price.
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