God Shiva
Khmer
Angkor period, 13th century
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
65.8 × 21.3 × 20.3 cm (25 7/8 × 8 3/8 × 8 in.)
Classification
bronze
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
149799
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This bronze icon of the Hindu god Shiva differs in several aspects from his original renditions in India. Here, Shiva is identifiable by his snake armband and the presence of his third eye, with his long hair tied up in a topknot like that of an ascetic. He appears with all the weight and importance of a mature, distinguished royal personage. Around the neck and shoulders he bears a multi-strand necklace; in his ears are massive, pendant earrings; and around the hips he wears a patterned sampot ...