Antique 15 in. Lost Wax Cast Bronze - South Indian - Temple Icon Shiva Nataraja For Sale

This iconic bronze statue of the Hindu god Shiva performing the cosmic dance is a heavy, bronze antique, hand created in southern India by the ancient technique of lost wax casting. Its substantial weight is due to the density of the bronze metal.Besides its age, one thing that sets this Shiva apart is the detailed decoration of his skin. Another thing which makes this figure more graceful than others is that his head is slightly inclined and turned to the side.Shiva is surrounded by a ring of fire representing the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction. His four arms represent omnipotence. He holds a drum symbolizing creation, and a flame symbolizing destruction. One hand faces outward in the gesture of reassurance and safety, to dispel fear and to accord divine protection and bliss, and another hand points to his raised foot, signifying liberation.His matted locks flowing outwardly from his head contain the river Ganga representing the flow of sacred, controlled energy.Shiva balances on his right leg, his foot crushing the horrible little subhuman demon, Muyalaka -- the embodiment of ignorance and spiritual blindness which must be overcome.The elegant proportions, elongated limbs, dynamic counterbalanced pose (tribhanga), and the clean silhouette are characteristic of traditional South Indian bronzes. This design traces its stylistic roots back to the Chola Dynasty (9th–13th centuries CE), a period renowned for perfecting the lost-wax casting technique for processional temple icons.The detailed peg attachment on the back of the head (visible in a photo) is the traditional structural method used to secure a heavy cast figure into its separately cast Prabha Mandala (fiery ring).CONDITION: No damage or losses. Aged patina, wear, and casting seams typical of traditional lost-wax casting.HEIGHT: 15 inches
WIDTH: 12 inches
WEIGHT: 8.5 lbs.