Lot 2 Dα

A very large grey sandstone Stele of Surya. Northeastern India, Bihar. 11th/12th century

The sun god stands in samapada posture and in boots on a plinth, below him the seven horses of his chariot and the charioteer Aruna as a half figure in the centre. Surya's hands are held in varadamudra, with lotus stems growing from the palms with large flowers above the shoulders. The figure wears a dhoti with a jewelled belt, a shawl, which lies over the forearms, the body is adorned with a tiara, a necklace and the sacred thread (upavita). Surya is flanked on his right by the pot-bellied Pingala with inkpot and quill and to his left by the slim Dandin, who rests his left hand on a club. The small female figures on either side represent the two wives of Surya, Rajni and Nishprabha. Above them the small running figures of Usha and Pratyusha dispelling the darkness. Two celestial beings with garlands in the round arch above.
Height 108 cm