<em>Shiva as Chandrashekhara</em>, ca. 970 C.E. Bronze, 25 3/4 x 12 x 7 3/4 in., 50.5 lb. (65.4 x 30.5 x 19.7 cm, 22.91kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council in honor of Amy G. Poster; additional funding from bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg, by exchange; Bertram H. Schaffner Asian Art Fund; and gift of Dr. Andrew Dahl, David Ellis, Benjamin S. Faber, Martha M. Green, Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Halpert, Stanley J. Love, Anthony A. Manheim, Mabel Reiner, and Chi Tiew-lui, by exchange
, 2007.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2007.2_front_PS2.jpg)

Shiva as Chandrashekhara, ca. 970 C.E. Bronze, 25 3/4 x 12 x 7 3/4 in., 50.5 lb. (65.4 x 30.5 x 19.7 cm, 22.91kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council in honor of Amy G. Poster; additional funding from bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg, by exchange; Bertram H. Schaffner Asian Art Fund; and gift of Dr. Andrew Dahl, David Ellis, Benjamin S. Faber, Martha M. Green, Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Halpert, Stanley J. Love, Anthony A. Manheim, Mabel Reiner, and Chi Tiew-lui, by exchange , 2007.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2007.2_front_PS2.jpg)

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What does the second part of the title mean?

The title of this piece can be translated as Shiva with a moon in his crown. A crescent moon in his hair is one of Shiva's iconographic attributes across several forms. In his hands he holds a leaping deer and a battle axe. These can be related to Shiva's roles as lord of animals and defeater of demons.

The sculpture would have been adorned with jewelry and clothing as a devotional objects. They were originally placed in temple or home shrines.

What's this?

This statue depicts Shiva as Chandrashekhara. It was created around 970 CE, during the Chola Dynasty in India. It served a religious, devotional purpose in a home or temple. It could have also participated in ritual processions.

Shiva is the Hindu god of destruction. Here, he is shown in his Chandrashekhara form, primarily worshipped in southern India.

OK, thanks.

Tell me more.

The title of this piece can be translated as Shiva with the Moon in his Crown. If you take a close look at the middle part of his headdress you can see a crescent moon.

This sculpture was made in Southern India during the Chola Dynasty ca. 970 C.E. In his hands he holds a leaping deer and a battle axe. These can be related to Shiva's roles as lord of animals and defeater of demons!

What do the hand-shaped things on his biceps represent?

They are jewelry! Armlets like these were typical of the Chola period. They may relate to Shiva's powers for both destruction and creation.

If I were to compare this to Bernini's "David" sculpture, what would be key points? Religion is one, but do you have other suggestions?

What an interesting comparison! Both sculptures including symbols that help viewers to identify the subject.

For example, David has his rock and sling. Shiva hold attributes like the deer that identifies him aslord over animals.

Another thing that comes to mind is the difference in pose. Shiva stands equally on both feet, with a sense of calm balance. Bernini's figure is full of motion and dynamism.

Right, Bernini's figure shows the emotion and drama of the story behind it, because it's at the Pinnacle of him throwing the rock.

Yes! The emotion was such an important factor!

Viewers of the Bernini would interact with the sculpture visually and emotionally but not physically.

This image of Shiva, on the other had, would be used in rituals, it was bathed, adorned with clothing, jewelry, and perfumed oils.

In a sense, the way we are seeing it here in the museum is incomplete.

At the bottom you can see a hole in the base. This allowed the sculpture to be attached to a carrying device so that it could be paraded during religious festivities.

Any other points of difference?

Devotional sculptures of Shiva were typically accompanied by sculptures of his consort Parvati. Although we do not see Parvati here, her presence is understood.

Similarly, the giant Goliath is not depicted by Bernini, but his presence is implied.

You can also talk about materials: bronze vs marble.

Bronze is much more durable, especially because sculptures like this are hollow, which allows figures to stand on their two legs, unsupported.

Whereas solid marble is both heavier and more brittle and required extra material to support a large figure (at the base of David, there is a block of marble supporting his right leg).

OK, thank you so much.

Shiva as Chandrashekhara

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor

Shiva is one of Hinduism’s most powerful and charismatic deities. He builds up great reserves of energy through the practice of yoga and then uses that energy to propel the cosmos. This sculpture shows the god as Chandrashekhara, meaning “having the moon as a crown.” His battle-axe and the small antelope emphasize his role as protector, especially of the animal kingdom. Although he stands straight and still, his broad shoulders and lively hand gestures suggest his potential for action.

Bronze casting reached an apex of achievement in southern India under the patronage of the Chola dynasty (circa 850–circa 1279). We can see that this image was repeatedly touched during worship, because the front is far more worn than the reverse.

MEDIUM Bronze

Place Made: Tamil Nadu, India

DATES ca. 970 C.E.

DYNASTY Chola dynasty

DIMENSIONS 25 3/4 x 12 x 7 3/4 in., 50.5 lb. (65.4 x 30.5 x 19.7 cm, 22.91kg) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2007.2

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Asian Art Council in honor of Amy G. Poster; additional funding from bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg, by exchange; Bertram H. Schaffner Asian Art Fund; and gift of Dr. Andrew Dahl, David Ellis, Benjamin S. Faber, Martha M. Green, Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Halpert, Stanley J. Love, Anthony A. Manheim, Mabel Reiner, and Chi Tiew-lui, by exchange

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Bronze icon of the Hindu god Shiva in his form as Chandrashekhara, or Lord of the Crescent Moon. The figure has four arms, the upper two holding a battle axe and a prancing deer, the lower two making gestures of reassurance and teaching. The figure wears his hair piled high in the chignon of matted locks that identifies Shiva, with curling locks draping over his shoulders in the back. A crescent moon is just visible at the front of the chignon, pointing upward. He wears jewelry typical of Chola-period sculpture, including "hand-shaped" armlets, a tight dhoti, and various collars and belts. It appears that the dhoti originally flared outward at both sides but because of damage or casting problems, the flaring elements have been removed and polished away. The figure stands on a flaring lotus base with square holes pierced through the front and back to attach the sculpture to a litter or cart for transport during temple processions. Shiva Chandrashekhara is worshipped primarily in southern India, where he is often displayed with his consort, Parvati. The straight posture of this icon suggests that it was either worshipped without a consort image (couples often lean in toward one another) or that the consort image was cast and displayed somewhat separately. The battle axe and deer make reference to an episode in which Shiva was attacked by non-believers and he caught both the weapon they threw at him and the wild stag that they sent to attack him. The deer became one of his great devotees and it represents the god's role as Lord of Animals. We can tell that this icon was worshipped because the front of the image is substantially more worn than the back. Touching and annointment are important elements of Hindu icon worship, and clearly this image was touched often at some point in its history. Bronze icons were made for display and worship on shrine altars inside temples but were often displayed during temple processions as well, and were occasionally transported to different temple buildings on special occasions. Bronze casting reached an apex in India in the tenth century under the patronage of the Chola dynasty of Tamil Nadu. Although masterful bronzes were made in this area for several centuries thereafter, those made in the tenth century are particularly prized for their balance of organic and ornamental qualities.

EXHIBITIONS

Diverse Works: Director's Choice, 1997-2015

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor

CAPTION Shiva as Chandrashekhara, ca. 970 C.E. Bronze, 25 3/4 x 12 x 7 3/4 in., 50.5 lb. (65.4 x 30.5 x 19.7 cm, 22.91kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council in honor of Amy G. Poster; additional funding from bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg, by exchange; Bertram H. Schaffner Asian Art Fund; and gift of Dr. Andrew Dahl, David Ellis, Benjamin S. Faber, Martha M. Green, Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Halpert, Stanley J. Love, Anthony A. Manheim, Mabel Reiner, and Chi Tiew-lui, by exchange , 2007.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2007.2_front_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE front, 2007.2_front_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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