KHMER, ANGKOR PERIOD, BAYON STYLE, 13TH CENTURY

Details

A rare sandstone head of Brahma
Khmer, Angkor Period, Bayon style, 13th century
Each of the four faces with full lips, downcast eyes with incised pupils beneath finely arched eyebrows forming a continuous line, ears heavy with jewelry, the hair drawn up into an elaborate cylindrical chignon secured with a studded band around the middle and a floral crown at the hairline, the faces with subtle variations of expression
13 in. (33 cm.) high

Provenance

Yamanaka Shokai, Osaka, 1910s
Japanese Private Collection

Lot Essay

The four heads of Brahma refer to his cosmic role as creator and symbolize the four great ages of Hindu mythology. The sculptor has ably rendered the subtle modeling of the faces, all with slight variations, sensitively accentuated brows in straight lines, broad mouth with rimmed lips cast in a gentle smile, conjoined chignons formed by horizontal rows of looped hair secured with a pearl band, and overlapping ears.

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