Fragment of a sandstone sculpture depicting a voluptuous female figure, her body adorned only with a drape falling from the shoulder to the groin. The figure is shown in the tribhanga pose (triple-bend posture). Central or Northern India, 10th-11th century (h. 76 cm) on modern base (defects) Given the explicit sensuality of the figure, it is likely to represent a worldly woman or a devadasi, a courtesan and temple dancer, commonly associated with South Indian temples up until the last century. The complete lack of ornamentation makes this sculpture quite unusual when compared to the traditional aesthetic canons of Indian sculpture from the period. A similar fragment is kept at the Musée Guimet, Paris, in the India Collection with inventory number MA4727 Bibliography: R. Freschi (ed.), The immortal beauty, Gallery Mandala, Milan , 1998 p. 32-33 Provenance: Private collection, Milan