Accession Number
1980/2.289

Title
Shiva as Kevala-Murti

Artist(s)
Indian

Artist Nationality
Indian (South Asian)

Object Creation Date
late 12th century - early 13th century

Medium & Support
copper alloy

Dimensions
12 3/4 in x 6 1/4 in x 3 7/8 in (32.4 cm x 15.8 cm x 9.8 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

Label copy
Cola-period bronzes from the southern state of Tamil Nadu are justly famous for their superb casting and long-limbed elegance. In southern India, the iconography of Hindu deities became increasingly complex, with many subcategories for the major gods. Kevalamurti is one variant of an image of Shiva with the moon caught in his tangled locks of hair. His back hands originally held an axe and an antelope, while his right front hand is in the gesture of reassurance and his left front hand offers an easing of pain and sorrow.
Exhibited in "Divine Encounters, Earthly Pleasures: Twenty Centuries of Indian Art," 12/12/03-2/22/04.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
Hinduism
Shiva
standing