CROWNED HEAD OF A DEITY
India (Rajasthan)
11th century
Height: 33.8 cm Width: 13.9 cm Depth: 19.6 cm

A hard grey stone carved head of a deity, probably Vishnu or Surya. The consummate skill of the Indian stone carver is exemplified in this head of a crowned deity through the slant of the eyes, the thread of the carved eyebrows, the sharply defined configuration of the vertical curls and elaborate jewellery in the crown. When in situ the variety and vitality of details rising from one plain to another, twisting and turning, fluid and geometric, all capture the maximum interplay of brilliant light and deep shadow.