A bronze figure of Shiva and Parvati

SOUTH INDIA, CHOLA PERIOD, 12TH/13TH CENTURY

Details

A bronze figure of Shiva and Parvati
South India, Chola period, 12th/13th century
The divine couple standing on lotus bases over a waisted plinth, Shiva with his principle hands in held in the "allaying fear" and "teaching" gestures and holding an axe and antelope in his upper hands, Parvati with her right hand raised in katakamudra, both wearing dhotis secured with elaborate belts
13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) high

Provenance

Collection of Dr. Alston and Eivor Callahan, Alabama, acquired in New York, 7 November 1985
Collection of Dr. Michael and Teresa Callahan, Alabama, acquired by inheritance

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Lot Essay

In medieval treatises on the subject of art, such as the Chitrasutra of the Vishnudharmottarapurana (ca. 6th century), the proportions for the goddess Parvati are prescribed not only individually but also in relation to her husband. Here, the close spiritual connection between Parvati and Shiva is given visual aesthetic form through idealized proportions, with Parvati's tribhanga stance elegantly complementing Shiva's equipoise, and her jatamukuta fitting neatly beneath his leaping antelope.

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