Parietal relief with representation of Shiva.India, XIV-XVI century.

Parietal relief with representation of Shiva.India, XIV-XVI century.
Schist.
Provenance: private collection, Namur, Belgium.
Good general condition. No visible restorations.
Slight losses in peripheral areas, according to its age.
Measurements: 30 cm high.

High quality sculptural relief representing Shiva in an architectural frame, probably coming from a Hindu temple. The divinity appears in elegant attitude, with slight flexion of the body and rich ornamentation, following the classic canons of late medieval Indian art.

The figure stands out for the fineness of the carving, visible in the details of the face, the jewels and the folds of the attire, as well as for the complex composition that includes secondary and decorative elements in the background. Shiva, one of the main deities of the Hindu pantheon, embodies the destruction and regeneration of the universe, and his representation in Templar contexts had a deep devotional meaning.

The use of schist allows for a polished and precise finish, enhancing the contrast between smooth surfaces and areas of greater detail.