When I was at the Matsuoka Museum of Art, I saw a sandstone sculpture of Surya, Sun God from the 10th-11th century from Central India. Please click here for a larger view of the sculpture.
I am not a erudite when it comes to sculptures but I do like to do my research after I look at them.
This sculpture is well-detailed. But who is Surya?
Surya is the Hindu Sun God and this sandstone sculpture from Central India was created during the 10th and 11th century.
Surya is also the dispeller of darkness and represents qualities like willpower, name, fame, and authority.
I am not sure if this is correct but I believe this may place the sculpture around the Pala Empire (750-1161 CE) during the post-classical period in the Indian subcontinent. Palas were diplomats and military conquerors. And the Pala period is considered as one of the golden eras of Bengali history, as the Palas brought stability and prosperity to Bengal after centuries of civil war. And during this time was the advancement of creations of outstanding works of art and architecture.
So, if you are interested, definitely seek the sculptures of Vishnu and Surya.
Surya is widely worshiped in India and remains an unbroken, ancient tradition thousands of years old. Quite often, Surya is standing in a frontal position and is holding two lotuses with the rays of light emanating around her head area. The lotuses bloom after it receives the rays of the sun each morning. Typically, you would see his hands in Surya mudra hand gestures.
In the top and bottom are five more structures.
Starting with the top are two are consults, Suremny, the goddess of dawn and Chaiya, the goddess of Shadow. On the farther side are Usha, the rising sun and Retusha, the setting sun who shoots arrows to dispel darkness.
Dandin and Pingala, Pingalawho has an inkpot and pen and Dandin with sword and shield. On both sides of Surya are Chaya and Suvarchala, with their ceremonial whisks, Chauri.
What I like about this sculpture compared to other Surya sculptures that I’ve seen is the amount of detail on those next to Surya and giving space (sometimes other sculptures, the others are tiny in comparison to the consults).
But while many sculptures are similar, many are different, but the only consistent is Surya seen from the front and the blooming lotus blossoms.
The horses often refer to as a chariot, with some sculptures having few to many horses.
But for the most part, this is a beautiful sandstone sculpture which can be seen at the Matsuoka Museum of Art.
