bronze,
India, 11th century, Chola Periode,
Size: 12 cm
Four-armed Shiva, the creator, preserver and destroyer, standing with one foot slightly forward in front of his mount, the bull Nandi. Two arms are missing. In two of his hands he was likely holding his weapon the trishula or trident and the damaru drum. The deity is dressed in a short veshti secured with a belt and adorned with numerous necklaces and the sacred quadruple thread. His face has a benevolent and friendly expression. Behind his head we see wavy lines symbolizing the river Ganga flowing from his hair arranged in a jatamukuta. Behind the god and his abode was an openwork aureole which is now partly missing.