Page 120 - Bonhams Presencer Buddhist Art Collection Oct. 2 2018
P. 120
191
A COPPER SHRINE OF SHIVA NATARAJA AND PARVATI The concept of the istadeva in Hinduism functions similarly to
SOUTH INDIA, 19TH CENTURY Vajrayana’s yidam; a chosen deity provides means to unlock one’s
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61655 eternal nature, which is beyond human comprehension. In Vajrayana
16.5 cm (6.5 in.) high Buddhism this results in dissolving into the Adi-Buddha, whereas in
Hinduism this results in becoming one with the divine Absolute. The
HK$50,000 - 80,000 representation of Shiva as Nataraja, “Lord of Dance”, conveys his role
as the creator, destroyer, and re-creator of the world, stressing his
eternity. He dances on a dwarf representing the ego, which must be
印度南部 十九世紀 納塔羅闍與帕爾瓦蒂銅神龕 overcome to realize one’s inner divinity.
The unusual placement of Nataraja and his consort Parvati on the
same platform indicates this sculpture was made for a personal shrine
and worshiped with great intensity. The use of inset rubies or red
colored glass is common to Mysore and Thanjavur where the Nataraja
cult predominates.
Provenance
Peter Sloane, London, 2016
118 | BONHAMS
