A BUFF SANDSTONE STELE DEPICTING UMAMAHESHVARA

Description:

Central-India, 12th c.
Ca. 51 x 33 cm ( o.S.)
Shiva is seated in lalitasana on the back of his bull, his four arms radiating around his body, the hands holding the conch, trident and one hand is embracing his consort Parvati seated on his left raised leg, her left hand is holding the mirror, wearing dhoti respectively a sari, bejewelled, their faces displaying a serene expression with almond-shaped eyes below arched eyebrows, his hair combed in the jatamakuta while her hairdo is combed in a bun, head-halo behind and both are surrounded by various divinities and worshippers all around, on wooden base.
Former part of the collection of Prof Joachim Zahn (1914-2002), probably acquired in the late 1970s