Asian Art - 21st May 2008

Lot 19

An Indian bronze figure of Shiva Nataraj

Estimate £1,000 - £2,000 | Hammer £750

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Description

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, late Vijayanagar / Nayak, 16th/17th century, some damage, 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.