Gods, Guardians, and Lovers: Temple Sculptures from North India, A.D. 700-1200

Celestial lovers, guardian deities, gods, goddesses, semidivine and human forms bedeck the magnificient, elaborately sculpted medieval temples of northern India. This handsome catalog of an exhibition at the Asia Society in New York City explains that each temple, rich in symbolism and sacred geometry, was viewed as a microcosmic model of cosmic creation and order. Led by Desai, director of the Asia Society Galleries, and Mason of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, six scholars discuss the historical background, patterns of royal patronage, architectural placement of images and Hindu stories and hymns as keys to the cult of temple images and to the medieval worship service, ``an elaborate multisensory experience.'' Nearly 200 color and black-and-white plates document a major architectural and sculptural legacy. (Sept.)