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.