Shiva, Uma, and Their Son Skanda (Somaskandamurti)
Somaskandamurti is one of the most popular religious images in South India. The four-armed Shiva holds a battle-ax and a deer in his upper hands and a citron in his lower left hand. His lower right hand is raised in abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear). His consort, Parvati, clasps a water lily in her right hand. Between them stands Skanda, their infant son, bejeweled and with a lotus in his right hand. Four rings at the lower corners of the pedestal allowed the sculpture to be secured to a platform in order to be carried in processions.
Artwork Details
- Title: Shiva, Uma, and Their Son Skanda (Somaskandamurti)
- Period: Chola period (880–1279)
- Date: early 11th century
- Culture: India (Tamil Nadu)
- Medium: Copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. 29 7/8 in. (53 cm); W. 21 7/8 in. (55.6 cm); D. 10 1/4 in. (26.2 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Purchase, Lita Annenberg Hazen Charitable Trust Gift, in honor of Cynthia Hazen and Leon B. Polsky, 1982
- Object Number: 1982.220.10
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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