Important Notice

South India, 14th Century
Stone
Height: 22.75 in (58 cm)
Width: 22.5 in (57 cm)
Depth: 11 in (28 cm)

This sculpture is mounted on a detachable base measuring 2.75 x 23.5 x 13 in (7 x 60 x 33 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Mumbai

In both Hindu traditions of Vaishnavism as well as Shaivism, saints played an important role in proliferating the beliefs associated with the faiths. The stories of their lives were themselves inspiring and hence the saints were well represented in sculptural forms as well as in the very architecture of holy spaces. This large sculpture shows one such pious saint seated, deep in meditation. The facial features also date the sculpture to the 14th century, which was around the time when many saints were sharing their teachings. Here the head is covered tightly with a cloth and the face of this holy man exhibits a faint yet reassuringly calm smile. The long ear lobes also add charm to the subject and the palms, seen overlapping one another, imbue the simple and elegant form of the saint with a sublime aura.

South India, 14th Century
Stone
Height: 22.75 in (58 cm)
Width: 22.5 in (57 cm)
Depth: 11 in (28 cm)

This sculpture is mounted on a detachable base measuring 2.75 x 23.5 x 13 in (7 x 60 x 33 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Mumbai

In both Hindu traditions of Vaishnavism as well as Shaivism, saints played an important role in proliferating the beliefs associated with the faiths. The stories of their lives were themselves inspiring and hence the saints were well represented in sculptural forms as well as in the very architecture of holy spaces. This large sculpture shows one such pious saint seated, deep in meditation. The facial features also date the sculpture to the 14th century, which was around the time when many saints were sharing their teachings. Here the head is covered tightly with a cloth and the face of this holy man exhibits a faint yet reassuringly calm smile. The long ear lobes also add charm to the subject and the palms, seen overlapping one another, imbue the simple and elegant form of the saint with a sublime aura.