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Jonathan Tucker and Antonia Tozer

TEMPLE RELIEF WITH RAMA AND SITA
CENTRAL INDIA
10TH - 11TH CENTURY
H. 57 CMS, 22 1/2 INS; W. 47 CMS, 18 ½ INS; D. 14 CMS, 5 ½ INS.

A sensuous, delicately carved buff sandstone relief with Rama with his bow and arrow, flanked by a pair of female attendants and surmounted by a seated figure of his consort Sita accompanied by two lotus bearing adorants.

This type of large relief would probably have been placed in a niche on the exterior wall of a temple. Lord Rama, incarnation of Vishnu and hero of the Ramayana, is a popular figure in Hindu mythology. His consort Sita is regarded by Hindus as an avatar of Lakshmi and is the embodiment of perfect womanhood.

PROVENANCE: Private American collection. Acquired in the 1960s during employment in the US Foreign Service.

all text, images © Jonathan Tucker and Antonia Tozer

 

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