SOUTH INDIA, CHOLA PERIOD, 13TH CENTURY

Bhairava, the wrathful form of Shiva, accompanied by his dog, is identified by his protruding canine teeth, arched eyebrows and bulging eyes. His attributes as the god of death are a trishula or trident, a kapala or skull cup, and a damaru or drum.

Compare the long torso, flaming tresses and snarling dog of the current work with figure a, a granite figure of Bhairava at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (acc. no. M.70.42.4).