Head of Male Deity, possibly Aiyanar
Unknown Artist
600–650
Medium
sandstone
Dimensions
h. 26.1 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
1970.11
About this artwork
The dreadlocks suggest that this figure is related to the Hindu god Shiva, and the sensitive rendering of the facial features indicates that it was carved during the early phase of stone sculpture production in Thailand. A more complete sculpture of another male figure with dreadlocks and youthful features is known from Thailand and shows him seated with one knee up, supported by a yoga strap. In South India, a deity of this description is worshiped as a guardian on the outskirts of villages on ...