Brahmani on Hamsa, Sandstone. Vietnam, Cham Period, Tháp Mâm Style, 11th century

Brahmani on Hamsa, Sandstone. Vietnam, Cham Period, Tháp Mâm Style, 11th century

The sakti of Brahma is seated in lalitasana on her vahana the hamsa, she has two arms and four heads with only three depicted in the usual scheme. She holds a sword in each hand, is decorated with numerous items of jewelry and wears an embroidered dhoti with a rounded front flap and semi-circular over hang. height 30 3/4 in. (78.1 cm). Estimate 20,000—30,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Philippine Collection 1950's
Percival B. Smith, USA, late 1960's
Thence by descent

NOTE: The sculpture displays characteristics of the Tháp Mâm style and can be compared to a figure of Brahma published in Emmanuel Guillon; Cham Art: Treasures from the Dà Nang Museum, Vietnam, Thames and Hudson, 2001, p. 141, fig 136.

Sotheby's. Indian & Southeast Asian Art. 18 Mar 09. New York www.sothebys.com photo courtesy Sotheby's