CA hand-cast brass statue of Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance, made by craftsmen in northern India and given a dark, antique-style finish with warm brass highlights.
Date: Early 21st century
Geography: Northern India
Dimensions: 23cm H x 19.5cm W x 6cm D
Weight: 1.542kg
Material: Cast brass, with an antique-style patina
Condition: New. See photos.
Who is Shiva Nataraja?
Shiva is one of the three great gods of the Hindu Trimurti, alongside Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver. Shiva is the destroyer and transformer, who clears away the old so that the new can begin.
As Nataraja, he performs the Tandava, the cosmic dance that sets the universe in motion and represents the endless cycle of creation, preservation and destruction. The dance is also seen as the triumph of knowledge over ignorance, and the release of the soul from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
The statue
Every detail of the Nataraja image has meaning:
The ring of fire (prabha mandala) surrounding him represents the universe and the cycle of time.
Upper right hand: holds the small drum (damaru), whose beat marks the rhythm of creation.
Upper left hand: holds a flame, the fire of destruction and renewal.
Lower right hand: raised in the gesture of protection, telling the devotee not to fear.
Lower left hand: sweeps across his body towards his raised left foot, which offers liberation.
Right foot: stands on a small figure, the demon of ignorance (Apasmara), showing his victory over ignorance.
Flowing locks of hair fan out on either side of his head, showing the speed and energy of the dance.
The statue stands on a stepped base, and the dark patina with bright, rubbed brass highlights brings out the detail of the figure and the open-work ring.
It makes a striking piece for a home shrine, meditation space, bookshelf or mantelpiece, and is a popular gift for dancers and lovers of Indian art.
As with all our hand-cast pieces, natural variations in the casting and finish are part of each statue’s character. Dimensions and weight are approximate.
CA hand-cast brass statue of Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance, made by craftsmen in northern India and given a dark, antique-style finish with warm brass highlights.
Date: Early 21st century
Geography: Northern India
Dimensions: 23cm H x 19.5cm W x 6cm D
Weight: 1.542kg
Material: Cast brass, with an antique-style patina
Condition: New. See photos.
Who is Shiva Nataraja?
Shiva is one of the three great gods of the Hindu Trimurti, alongside Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver. Shiva is the destroyer and transformer, who clears away the old so that the new can begin.
As Nataraja, he performs the Tandava, the cosmic dance that sets the universe in motion and represents the endless cycle of creation, preservation and destruction. The dance is also seen as the triumph of knowledge over ignorance, and the release of the soul from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
The statue
Every detail of the Nataraja image has meaning:
The ring of fire (prabha mandala) surrounding him represents the universe and the cycle of time.
Upper right hand: holds the small drum (damaru), whose beat marks the rhythm of creation.
Upper left hand: holds a flame, the fire of destruction and renewal.
Lower right hand: raised in the gesture of protection, telling the devotee not to fear.
Lower left hand: sweeps across his body towards his raised left foot, which offers liberation.
Right foot: stands on a small figure, the demon of ignorance (Apasmara), showing his victory over ignorance.
Flowing locks of hair fan out on either side of his head, showing the speed and energy of the dance.
The statue stands on a stepped base, and the dark patina with bright, rubbed brass highlights brings out the detail of the figure and the open-work ring.
It makes a striking piece for a home shrine, meditation space, bookshelf or mantelpiece, and is a popular gift for dancers and lovers of Indian art.
As with all our hand-cast pieces, natural variations in the casting and finish are part of each statue’s character. Dimensions and weight are approximate.
