Shiva as the Lord of Dance sculpture date material origin
Question asked:
“The sculpture titled 'Shiva as the Lord of Dance' in the Metropolitan Museum of Art was created in the late 12th to early 13th century, is made of copper alloy, and originates from Tamil Nadu, India.”
Summary
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Shiva as the Lord of Dance” is a copper‑alloy sculpture from Tamil Nadu, India, created during the Chola period. Scholarly sources date it to the late 11th century (c. 1070–1100) and sometimes to the 12th century, but not as late as the early 13th century. Thus, the material and origin are correct, while the stated date range is slightly inaccurate.
Sources 60 searched
- Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance | Unknown | V&A Explore The Collections
Figure of Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance, copper alloy, reportedly found in the Tinnevelly District, Tamil Nadu, South India, 12th century
- Shiva Nataraja (Lord of Dance) - National Museum of Asian Art
See also invoice provided by Doris Wiener Gallery, Inc., New York, March 10, 1973, from Rajrama Art to Doris Wiener Gallery, Inc., New York, copy in object file. On the invoice, the sculpture is described as "Dancing Shiva, Bronze, 12th century, South Indian, Size: 38.” The museum has since ...
- Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja) | The Art Institute of Chicago
The tiny figure of the personified river goddess, Ganga, is caught up in his matted, flowing locks. Shiva was believed to break the fall of the great Ganges River as it descends from the Himalayas by standing beneath the waters, which divide over his hair, becoming the seven holy rivers of India.
- Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) - Indian (Tamil Nadu) - Chola period (880–1279) - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
It combines in a single image Shiva’s roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Indian conception of the never-ending cycle of time. Although it appeared in sculpture as early as the fifth century, its present, ...
- Shiva as Lord of Dance (Shiva Nataraja) - India, Tamil Nadu - Chola period - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This form of Shiva combines the god’s roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe—conveying the Indian concept of the never-ending cycle of time. The energy of Shiva’s dance causes his hair to fly to the sides. Set within a flaming halo, the god holds the fire of destruction and the drum that makes the first sounds of creation.
- Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) - Indian (Tamil Nadu) - Chola period (880–1279) - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Provenance · Exhibition History · References · Title: Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) Period: Chola period (880–1279) Date: ca. late 11th century · Culture: Indian (Tamil Nadu) Medium: Copper alloy · Dimensions: H. 26 7/8 in. (68.3 cm); Diam. 22 1/4 in.
- Smarthistory – Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja)
Shiva’s upper left hand holding the agni, the flame of destruction (detail), Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja), c. 11th century, Copper alloy, Chola period, 68.3 x 56.5 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) Here, Shiva embodies ...
- Shiva Nataraja - Lord of the Dance - World History Encyclopedia
Shiva as a dancing figure first appeared in Indian stone temple sculpture in the 5th and 6th century CE, and it was not until the 10th century CE that the now familiar free-standing sculptural representation, typically in bronze, became standard.
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