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Collections

Unknown
Architectural Bracket in the Form of a Celestial Cymbalistcirca 1100

On view:
Geffen Galleries
Dark gray stone sculpture of a female deity in a triple-bend dancing pose, carved in high relief with ornate jewelry, a decorated skirt, and a foliate arch behind her
Stone sculpture of a four-armed standing figure in a dynamic tribhanga pose, carved in high relief on an oval stele with scrolling foliage arch above. Figure wears elaborate jewelry, layered skirt, and anklets, holding objects in each hand. Dark polished stone with finely carved ornamental detail.
Dark stone sculpture of a four-armed standing deity adorned with elaborately carved jewelry and headdress, set against an arched prabhavali with foliate and floral carvings. Finely detailed surface with polished finish.
Dark stone sculpture of a multi-armed female figure with finely incised jewelry, ornate belt, and layered skirt panels, shown from waist up against a stone backing.

Unknown, Architectural Bracket in the Form of a Celestial Cymbalist, circa 1100, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Architectural Bracket in the Form of a Celestial Cymbalist
Place Made
India, Karnataka, Dharwad District
Date Made
circa 1100
Medium
Metasiltstone
Dimensions
45 x 15 x 6 in. (114.3 x 38.1 x 15.24 cm)
Credit Line
From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase
Accession Number
M.70.1.2
Classification
Architecture
Collecting Area
South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes
This exquisitely carved dancing figure holding a pair of cymbals once served as a bracket figure for a Hindu temple in Karnataka. She is adorned with copious jewelry, including head ornaments, large earrings, several necklaces (the long strands in front of her full breasts are now broken), shoulder trimmings, armlets with rearing cobras, bracelets, finger rings, a waist band with multiple dangling components and a bejeweled long sash that hangs to her crossed ankles, anklets, ankle bracelets, and toe rings. She is carved in the round apart from several structural supports and dances beneath a bower embellished with a scrolling lotus vine and bunches of mangoes and grapes.
Selected Bibliography
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture, vol.2. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1988.
  • Newman, Richard. The Stone Sculpture of India: a Study of the Materials Used by Indian Sculptors from ca. 2nd Century B.C. to the 16th Century. Cambridge, MA: Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, Harvard University Art Museums, 1984.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. The Sensuous Immortals: A Selection of Sculptures from the Pan-Asian Collection. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1977.
  • Rosenfield, John. The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.

  • El Universo de la India: Obras Maestras del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Angeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, 2012.