Rajastani Sacred Stone Dancer

Size

50cm(H) x 19cm(W) / 1'8"(H) x 7"(W)

Item Type

Figure

Region

South Asia

Condition

Excellent

Full Description

Rajastani Sacred Stone Dancer

11th Century A.D

Female dancer composition wearing beaded choker running between breasts terminating in tassle at the hips, ornate arm bands and beaded skirts. Similar examples adorn exterior of Temple of Kandariya Mahadeo of the Khajuraho complex, dating from second quarter of the eleventh century A.D, the meaning of such erotic images can be explained by the philosophical elaboration of several Shaivite sects; beneath the entire structure of Hinduism, profoundly philosophical as it is, there always lies a strong layer of religiosity rooted in the old phallic-fertility cults. In particular at Khajuraho, the German scholar Goetz suggests that such figures were intended to represent the sacred dancers of the temple whom the sovereign mated with in order to obtain divinity, it seems perfectly reasonable to assume this figure served similar purpose.

*given dimensions excl. stand, height with stand 60cm x 22.5 cm width of stand.