A BUFF SANDSTONE HEAD OF A DEITY
Madhya Pradesh, India, Chandella period, 12th century

Carved in full on three sides, the back flat, the almond-shaped eyes surmounted by thin eyebrows, the nose and the mouth damaged, the hair gathered into a high bunch of matted locks held together at the front from two interlocking snakes, possibly a head of the Hindu god Shiva, mounted on a later wooden stand, 15.5cm high including the stand.

Provenance: in private UK collection since 1960s.