Description
This sculpture is the same pose as Nataraja but with differences, created using the traditional Madhuchista Vidhana. Shiva has his right leg raised, unlike Nataraja who has his left leg raised in the same pose. Here Shiva has his hair tied up in a tall crown called Jatamakuta. It is bedecked with ornaments along with Ganga and Chandra (crescent moon).
His right hand is raised in Abhaya Mudra (protection) and the left-hand falls limply in Gajahasta Mudra. As usual with Shiva’s dancing poses, he has Apasmara (ignorance) crushed under his foot, who looks helpless and bewildered. The figure rests on a rectangular, double base. An excellent sculpture.
Special Comments
This statue was created using the Madhuchishtavidhana (Lost-Wax method).
Since the wax model of the statue is destroyed during the making process, every statue made with this method is unique. No copy of such pieces can ever be made.
The green patina on the statue is not natural. It was applied to the piece for aesthetic reasons. You may easily remove it with a commercially available brass cleaning agent. The cleaned statue will, however, get a natural green patina over time due to oxidation.
This is a very high-quality traditional South Indian statue in bronze.