THE SUN GOD SURYA, BRONZE, CHOLA PERIOD India, Tamil Nadu, late 12th-13th century. The Vedic deity Surya stands on an oval plinth and is clearly identifiable by the lotus blossoms he holds in both hands. The exquisitely cast bronze figure demonstrates the masculinity of the god through a dynamic pose, the drapery of his garment, the conical headdress and the delicately stylized jewelry. Provenance: From an English private collection. By repute acquired at auction ca. 1960 and thence by descent. Condition: Very good condition with extensive wear, weathering, traces of use, smaller losses and nicks here and there, but overall fully original and with a dark-brown, unctuous and naturally grown patina. Weight: 553.2 g Dimensions: 17.3 cm In contrast to the languid forms of the early Chola period, bronzes of the late Chola, such as the present lot, show a proclivity towards muscular and exaggerated physiques, as well as great attention to the intricate details of jewelry, drapery, and bodily features. The long legs are emphasized by defined shins that have an almost triangular edge. Bronze figures from this period depicting Surya have fleshy torsos with defined triple lines across the belly (trivali tarangini, a late-Chola convention), and a muscular chest with more defined nipples. Having survived as a primary deity in Hinduism arguably better and longer than any other of the original Vedic deities apart from Vishnu, the worship of Surya declined greatly around the 13th century, perhaps as a result of the Muslim conquest of north India. New Surya temples virtually ceased to be built, and some were later converted to a different dedication, generally Shiva. A number of important Surya temples remain, but many are no longer in worship. For this reason, bronzes depicting Surya are considered to be extremely rare. Literature comparison: Compare with another Surya bronze from the 11th-12th century at the Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 2000.284.1.