An Indian bronze figure of Shiva Nataraj

An Indian bronze figure of Shiva Nataraj, dancing an Apasmara Purusha, the personification of ignorance, he holds a damaru (drum) representing the five rhythms of manifestation. Some damage. Late Vijayanagar / Nayak, 16th/17th century, 33cm. This figure, surely the most iconic image in Hindu art, illustrates Shiva performing the Tandava, the dance of bliss, which is a pictorial allegory of the true manifestations of eternal energy - creation, destruction, preservation, salvation and illusion.