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Unknown Maker, Indian

Shiva and Parvati (Uma-Mahesvara)
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Indian

Culture

Indian

Title

Shiva and Parvati (Uma-Mahesvara)

Year

1000s-1100s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

sandstone

Geography

Origin: India; Origin: Central region

Dimensions

64 x 41 x 25.5 cm (25 3/16 x 16 1/8 x 10 1/16 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Corporation Membership Fund

Object Number

63.049

Type

Publications

  • Journal

Manual / Issue 18: Nature

 RISD Museum’s Manual 18 Celebrates Nature

In our [Chamoru] culture, inafa’maolek is our most important value. It roughly translates as “to make good for each other.” Inafa’maolek teaches us that all things are connected and related, including people, environments, and all species. Because all things are interwoven, we must always act with guinaiya and respetu, love and respect.  

–Craig Santos Perez, introduction

Manual 18 explores human interactions with the natural world, from frank awe and deep appreciation of the immediate moment to eternal questions and ancient unfinished business. This issue of Manual complements the exhibition Being and Believing in the Natural World, co-curated by Gina Borromeo, Wai Yee Chiong, and Sháńdíín Brown, on view at the RISD Museum now through May 7, 2023.

Exhibition History

Asian Art Galleries
Jun 10, 2014

Label copy

Hindu temples are typically ornamented both inside and out with relief sculptures. The wear on this sculpture indicates it was located outside, exposed to natural elements. Worshippers viewed it from below as they circled the building clockwise before entering the temple hall. Shiva, the powerful god of destruction and regeneration, grants blessings while his beloved wife Parvati (also known as Uma) sits affectionately on his left knee. The figures at the base include their sons, the elephant-headed Ganesha and Kartikeya, a destroyer of demons. At their feet is Shiva’s mount, Nandi the bull.

Rockefeller Asian Art Gallery

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Indian
Shiva and Parvati (Uma-Mahesvara), 1000s-1100s
Sandstone
64 x 41 x 25.5 cm (25 3/16 x 16 1/8 x 10 1/16 inches)
Corporation Membership Fund 63.049

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