An exceptionally large and attractive Linga / Lingam, depicting the head of Shiva, Gupta period, Madhya Pradesh, 4th.-5th. century AD.
The face of the Hindu god Shiva emerges from this linga, the emblem through which he is most commonly worshiped. Most lingas are non-figural, their abstracted phallic shape alluding to Shiva’s transcendent power and generative energy. Here, Shiva is also represented in anthropomorphic form, manifesting himself to devotees...
A very large and outstanding fragmentary bust of Vishnu, dating to circa the 5th-6th century AD. The statue measures a shade over 6-1/2" in height and is in outstanding, original condition as a fragment. Attached to a custom made base. A related example dating to the same period is on exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and is included in this listing for comparison (the last photograph).