INDIA, MADHYA PRADESH OR RAJASTHAN, 9TH/10TH CENTURY

Details

A red sandstone door relief
India, Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan, 9th/10th century
Deeply carved with four mithuna scenes, each with the couple standing or sitting beneath a tree, with a series of naganis to the right, their tails intertwined to form an openwork lattice
45 in. (114.3 cm.) high

Provenance

Estate of Mitch Miller, New York, acquired from Albert Rudolph, Rudi Oriental Arts, New York, by 1970

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Lot Essay

Both mithunas (lovers) and naganis (female snake spirits) are potent symbols of fertility - the naginis are associated with water, itself a symbol of fecundity in the Indian tradition. Thus, they enhance the bountious nature of the deity within. For further discussion and a related example, see V. Desai, et al., Gods, Guardians, and Lovers, 1993, p. 226, cat. no. 51.

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