KHMER, ANGKOR WAT STYLE, 12TH-13TH CENTURY

The present figure, with distended earlobes and a long goatee, wearing a rope-suspended loin cloth, represents an ascetic form of Shiva, in which he disguised himself as a Brahmin ascetic and went to the forest to interrupt Parvati while she performed penance (tapas). When Shiva reveals himself, he retains the pointed beard which is also depicted in this sculpture. This figure’s sharply defined hairline, cylindrical chignon encircled by beaded bands, wide eyes, full lips, and placid smile characterize the Angkor Wat style of sculpture. Compare with another figure of Shiva as an ascetic from the collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, sold at Christie's New York, 12 September 2018, lot 341.