Studies in Indian Art c14.s2.27

c14.s2.27

About half a dozen Śiva liṅgams of various sizes have also been collected in the museum shed. There are also about thirtysix architectural pieces, some of good merit, consisting of door-jambs and temple pediments carved with the chaitya-window enclosing the Trimūrti form of Śiva heads, this motif being a very common feature of Śaiva temples all over the hills of northern India. One sculpture (No. 37, length 8'-8", height 2'-4") consisting of three pieces is exceptionally good, the Trimūrti form shown in its circular sunk panel on the central piece being very dignified. On the side pieces adorned with beaded borders are carved haṃsas with conventionalised features. This as also a somewhat smaller pediment (No. 36) in one piece only (5'-6½" × 2'-4") maybe dated to about the 8th century A.D., and must have formed part of the impressive facade of the monumental Śiva temple built under the patronage of Princess Īśvarā. Many other pieces of pediments showing either the Trimūrti heads or a single head are also preserved and reveal varying degrees of artistic merit.