Stele fragment. North India, Pala period, 12th century.

Stele fragment. North India, Pala period, 12th century.
Black stone.
Measurements: 25 cm (height).

This stele fragment depicts ?iva and his wife, called in this context Um?, the 'Favorite', sitting on the same seat. Both personages show each other signs of affection and are often surrounded by their children and relatives. This theme may be subject to variations in the positions of the protagonists and in the number of characters. Several large bas-reliefs in the caves of Ellor? (8th century) attest to this. In southern India, the theme bears the name of S?m?skandam?rti and was the subject of numerous processional bronzes.