A ‘COSMIC EGG’, BRAHMANDA, INDIA, 19TH CENTURYThe stone of typical ovoid form and finely polished with distinct natural markings in blood red and creamy white.Provenance: French trade, acquired from a French private collection built between ca. 1980 and 2012.Condition: Very good condition with old wear and weathering as expected, few light nicks and scratches, natural fissures.Weight: 4,068 gDimensions: Length 19.5 cmCosmic eggs are so called because in the Hindu religion, they symbolize the union between heaven and earth. These natural stones were collected from the Narmada River in ancient times and it is believed that a meteorite colored the stone on its impact with the earth. The natural markings on the egg-shaped form symbolize the male and female principles in a single unit, a realization of the wholeness of the entire universe.Auction resultparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s Paris, 17 April 2008, lot 181Price: EUR 5,250 or approx.EUR 6,900 adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A Shiva lingam, Narmada River, IndiaExpert remark:pare the related form and color of the stone. Note the size (44 cm).Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 6 March 2021, lot 748Price: EUR 16,432 or approx.EUR 18,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: An Indian stone Brahmanda, ‘cosmic egg’, and matching bronze tripod standExpert remark:pare the form and markings. Note the size (23 cm).