NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, 11TH/12TH CENTURY

Details

A Black Stone Panchamukhalinga
Northeastern India, Pala Period, 11th/12th Century
With a square base rising to a hexagonal shaft and rounded top with the four faces of Shiva facing the four Cardinal directions
29 in. (73.6 cm.) high

Lot Essay

The various faces represent the different aspects of the deity, the ferocious Bhairava (south), Nandin with a lion crown (west), Tamreshvara with floral and serpent earrings (north), Mahadeva with matted hairstyle (east). The fifth, representing the absolute, is generally not shown.
Compare with lots 165-67.

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