Shiva Nataraja
1200s
Country
Tamil Nadu Province, India
Object
sculpture
Medium
bronze
Accession Number
1947.2
Credit Line
Dora Porter Mason Collection
Shiva Nataraja. 1200s. bronze. Dora Porter Mason Collection. 1947.2.
Dimensions
height: 36 7/8 in, 93.6625 cm; width: 32 1/2 in, 82.55 cm; depth: 12 in, 30.48 cm; base diameter: 11 in, 27.94 cm
Department
Arts of Asia
Collection
Arts of Asia
This object is currently on view
God Shiva, Lord of the Dance
(Nataraja)
South India, Tamil Nadu
1100s, Chola dynasty
Bronze
Dora Porter Mason Collection
1947.2
The Hindu god Shiva dances the universe into and out of existence. The sound of his drum heralds its creation; his burning flame signals its final conflagration. In his dance, Shiva tramples on the demon of forgetfulness, shown in the form of an infant. The cycle of time—past, present, and future—runs through the circle of flames within which he dances.
