Siva

Chola period
940-950 (circa)
Thanjavur

A bronze sculpture of a seated figure of the Hindu god Siva. He has four arms and carries a parasu (axe) in his proper right rear hand, a mrga (deer) in his proper left rear hand, a naga (cobra) in his proper left fore hand and he holds his proper right hand in abhaya mudra (the gesture of protection). One leg is raised upon the throne in lalitasana (position of royal ease). At either end of the throne are the vertical bars for supporting a now lost framing arch.

Text and Image credit:
© The Trustees of the British Museum