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Gain access to this incredible resource through either a monthly or a yearly subscription and search the entire collection from your desktop, compare multiple images side by side and zoom into the minute details of the images. Visit www.davidrumsey.com/amica for more information on the collection, click on the link below the revolving thumbnail to the right, or email us at amica@luna-img.com . Creator Nationality: Asian; Indian Sub-Continent; Bangaladeshi Creator Dates/Places: Bangladesh or India (west Bengal) Creator Name-CRT: Bangladesh or India (west Bengal) Title: Seated six-armed Shiva as Conquerer of Death (Mrtyunjaya) View: Principal view Creation Start Date: 1100 Creation End Date: 1199 Creation Date: Pala period (ca. 700?1200), 12th century Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects Materials and Techniques: black stone Dimensions: H. 39 in. (99.1 cm), W. 18 1/2 in. (47 cm) Description: The third eye in the center of his forehead, and the small figure of the bull Nandin crouching on the base, identify the central image as Shiva. He has six arms: the two front hands are held in a gesture of meditation; the remaining three of the back four hold recitation beads (lower right), a club (?), and a water pot (lower left). Shiva is seated on an elaborate throne on which appear a kinnari and kinnara holding musical instruments. These minor demigod musicians are half-human and half-bird and often appear on Pala-period thrones. The throne is placed against a lush background of flowering scrolls. Shiva, wearing rich, carefully detailed jewelry, is attended by two female figures holding fly whisks. Four flying celestials, two of whom have consorts, cavort on either side of the kirttimukha, or face of glory, at the top of the stela. Shiva's meditative posture and gesture are unusual and it is not clear which form (of the many taken by this god) is represented here. However, the recitation beads and water pot, which is often used in initiation or purification ceremonies, suggest that this meditative image of Shiva reflects esoteric practices common to both Buddhist and Hindu traditions in Bangladesh during the late Pala period. The ornately carved surface of the stela and its pointed top are also typical of the twelfth century. AMICA Contributor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Owner Location: New York, New York ID Number: 1991.421 Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, in memory of Alice Boney, 1991 Copyright: Copyright ? 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All rights reserved. Rights: http://www.metmuseum.org/education/er_photo_lib.asp AMICA ID: MMA_.1991.421 AMICA Library Year: 2002 Media Metadata Rights: Copyright (c) 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved AMICA PUBLIC RIGHTS: a) Access to the materials is granted for personal and non-commercial use. b) A full educational license for non-commercial use is available from Cartography Associates at www.davidrumsey.com/amica/institution_subscribe.html c) Licensed users may continue their examination of additional materials provided by Cartography Associates, and d) commercial rights are available from the rights holder. Home
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