Head of a Female Deity
c. 9th/13th century
Medium
Sandstone
Dimensions
37.2 × 39.7 × 21.6 cm (14 5/8 × 15 5/8 × 8 1/2 in.)
Classification
stone (unidentified)
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
153252
Art Historical Context
Behold the **Head of a Female De**, a captivating sandstone sculpture from the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department. Dating to approximately the 9 to 13th century this life-sized fragment measures 37.2 39.7 × 21.6 cm, evoking the serene power of an ancient divinity. Carved by an unknown artist, it exemplifies the anonymous mastery of early medieval stonework, likely originating from South or Southeast Asia where such devotional figures graced temples. Sandstone was a prized medium in this era for its fine grain and weather resistance, allowing artisans to achieve intricate detai...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...