Head of a Divinity (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
This head of a male deity is a sculpture of great delicacy and beauty. Though it is difficult to determine his identity, the piled, matted hair suggests an affiliation with the Hindu god Shiva who is often shown as an ascetic (one who practices self-denial as a measure of spiritual discipline). It is very possible that this head belonged to the figure of a door guardian (dvarapala) that flanked the entrance to a temple. Beneath his lotus halo and ornate headdress, the deity's serene face is elegantly refined and sensitively rendered.
Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Paul Mellon
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
