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| Shiva and Parvati (Uma-Maheshvara) |
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| India; Pala period (c.8th - 12th century), 9th century |
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| Copper alloy |
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| H. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm) |
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| Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art |
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| 1979.014 |
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| This charming small bronze depicts the Hindu god Shiva with his wife Parvati sitting on his left knee, a common configuration called Uma-Maheshvara after two other names of the two gods. Shiva can be identified by the crescent moon in his headdress, by the trident encircled by a snake to his right, and by his vehicle (vahana), the bull Nandi, who kneels below his right foot. Parvati, who embraces Shiva with her right hand and holds up a mirror for him in her left hand, is identified by her lion vehicle. The kneeling female figure on the base of the statue represents either a generic devotee or the patron of this sculpture. |
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