Page 56 - Indian and Himalayan Art Mar 21, 2018 NYC

PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF DR. GEORGE S. HEYER, JR. (1930-2015)

322
A BRONZE FIGURE OF SHIVA AS CHANDRASHEKHARA
SOUTH INDIA, TAMIL NADU, CHOLA DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY
16¿ in. (41 cm.) high
$150,000-250,000
PROVENANCE
New York art market, 1998.
Acquired by George S. Heyer from the above on
1 April 2008; thence by descent.

Chandrashekhara, or “Moon-Ornamented Lord,” is a benevolent form of the
Hindu god, Shiva, worshipped primarily in southern India. He is identifed by
the thin crescent moon centered in his matted coifeur, as well as the leaping
antelope and battle-axe in his upper hands, which refer to the god’s role as
protector, particularly of the animal kingdom.

Standing atop a tiered base, Shiva’s animated stance is accentuated by
robust shoulders and thighs and a tapered waist. His feshy belly protrudes
over his elaborate belts fastened over his short patterned dhoti with festoons
and sashes trailing down his sides. He is adorned in elaborate jewelry,
including a large spherical earring in his left earlobe. His hair is piled into an
extravagant headdress with ringlets cascading down his back. His expression
is benevolent and engaged. Compare with another Chola period fgure of
Shiva as Chandrashekhara in the Brooklyn Museum of Art (2007.2), as well
as with a larger Vijayanagara period example from the collection of Robert
Hatfeld Ellsworth sold at Christie’s New York on 17 March 2015, lot 34.
印度南部 泰米爾納德邦 朱羅王朝 十二世紀 銅濕婆立像

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