CLASSICAL INDIAN ART | LIVE AUCTION, MUMBAI (09 MARCH 2017)

132-133 / 176

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67
SHIVA
ODISHA, 15TH ‒16TH CENTURY
Bronze
7.5 in (19.3 cm) high
Rs 10,00,000 - 15,00,000
$ 14,930 - 22,390
NON‒EXPORTABLE
Shiva is one of the gods of the Trinity, who is known primarily as the destroyer,
but he also blesses and protects his devotees. He is shown here standing erect
and with four arms (Chandrashekhara). His rear arms hold his attributes. His hair
is shown as three matted locks flowing down his back like water, perhaps alluding
to the tale of the celestial river Ganga, whom he contained and directed in a
controlled flow into the world.
66
BHAIRAVA
TAMIL NADU, 11TH - 12TH CENTURY
Granite
12.25 in (31.5 cm) high
Rs 4,00,000 ‒ 6,00,000
$ 5,975 - 8,960
NON‒EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Mumbai
Bhairava is a powerful manifestation
of Shiva, typically depicted with
furrowed eyebrows, glaring eyes,
flaring nostrils, and two sharp
canines jutting over his lower lip.
His dreadlocks assume the forms
of the flames of a fire, and they
are intertwined with snakes and
scorpions.
In some myths, Shiva created
Bhairava as an extension of himself,
in order to chastise Brahma. An
interpretation of this form of Shiva
suggests that those who meet
Bhairava must confront the source
of their own fears.