South India, Tamil Nadu, Chola dynasty, late 10th - early 11th century / 900s
Brahma-Shiva
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Brahma-Shiva as sculpture (South India, Tamil Nadu, Chola dynasty, late 10th - early 11th century · 900s).
The back of the sculpture retains the original textured surface from a pointed chisel, suggesting it was in a niche or near a wall, protected from worshippers’ touches.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as granite.
The museum's collection notes: In the Hindu pantheon Brahma is in charge of carrying out the work of creation. In this tour-de-force of South Indian temple sculpture, he is in a special regal aspect, with the only elements of his typical priestly appearance being the prayer beads and the matted dreadlocks piled on his head. Four arms connote superhuman power, and four heads convey the idea that his creative activities spread in all four directions. His upper right hand enjoins freedom from fear, and the lower holds a lotus bud associated with birth and the process of creation. His lowered left hand is held in the gift-giving gesture, suggestive of the gift of creation he w
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The Cleveland Museum of ArtBrahma-ShivaOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.