Indian, India Tamil Nadu

Shiva, as Nataraja, gracefully performs the dance of bliss, creating and destroying the cosmic world in an eternal cycle of regeneration. The double-sided drum in his farthest right hand symbolizes creation while the flame on his left hand suggests destruction. When he first performed this dance to convince skeptics back to the Hindu faith, he was tempted by a tiger, snake, and demon. Shiva prevailed and is depicted wearing a snake belt and animal loincloth, standing on a demonic figure.

Large individual bronzes such as this were worshiped in temples and carried outside for religious processions and festivals. This sculpture showcases the mastery of bronze casting techniques in India. Although called "bronze," an alloy of the metals gold, silver, copper, tin, lead or zinc, was traditionally the ideal material used in creating these images. The metals correlated to the five elements that consitute the universe - earth, water, fire, air, and ether - emphasizing the divine nature of the sculptures.