Description
A SANDSTONE HEAD OF A DEITY, ANGKOR WAT STYLE
Khmer Empire, 10th-12th century. The face with a serene expression, ridged eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes with neatly incised pupils, broad nose and characteristically raised lips, elongated earlobes. Wearing an elaborate crown with two bands of floral decoration between two rows of beads, the conical hair dress tied together with three hexagonal bands.
Provenance: An English private estate. By repute acquired from The Abrons Arts Center, New York, USA, ca. 1980-1990 and thence by descent. The backside with painted inventory numbers “4204” in black (twice) and “AAI 68.16” in red.
Condition: Fine condition with extensive weathering and losses as visible on the images, but absolutely original and with no restoration whatsoever. A metal rod has been inserted, so that the head can be mounted to a modern base.
Weight: 1,969 g
Dimensions: Height 17 cm
Auction result comparison: Compare with a closely related larger head at Christies New York in Indian and Southeast Asian Art, 14 September 2010, lot 223, sold for USD $27,500.