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A copper alloy figure of Saint Sambandar
Southern India, Chola period, 12th century
With one leg raised dancing on a lotus, his right hand points skyward while his left is extended gracefully in the elephant trunk gesture gajahasta mudra. He is naked other than a girdle of bells, a waistband, ankle cuffs and earrings, while sacred thread suspended from a heavy necklace encircles his body. His face bears a serene expression with a sharp, pointed nose, smiling mouth and normal almond-shaped eyes. His tall chignon is secured by a narrow diadem.
15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.) high
With one leg raised dancing on a lotus, his right hand points skyward while his left is extended gracefully in the elephant trunk gesture gajahasta mudra. He is naked other than a girdle of bells, a waistband, ankle cuffs and earrings, while sacred thread suspended from a heavy necklace encircles his body. His face bears a serene expression with a sharp, pointed nose, smiling mouth and normal almond-shaped eyes. His tall chignon is secured by a narrow diadem.
15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.) high
Sold for
US$ 92,500
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Multiple examples of this popular saint are in private and public institutions around the world. Closely related examples can be found in the Museum Rietberg, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, (2001.1.3), Asia Society, New York, (1979.24) and the National Gallery of Australia, (2005.231).
As noted by Ron Radford in Collection highlights: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 2008, "One of sixty-three Hindu saints devoted to Shiva, Sambandar was unconcerned with philosophy or sacred texts. Rather, music and dancing were central to his religious practice, and he spent his life wandering southern India singing and dancing in Shiva's honour. Despite dying at an early age, Sambandar is credited with composing hundreds of hymns"
Provenance:
Private American Collection
Category: Asian Art / Southeast Asian, Indian and Himalayan Art
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