Shiva and Parvati (Uma-Maheshvara)

Tamil Nadu, India; Pala period (8th–12th century), 9th century
Copper alloy
H. 5 3/8 x W. 4 1/4 x D. 2 1/4 in. (13.7 x 11 x 5.7 cm)
Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.14

Provenance
John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY; acquired from J. J. Klejman, New York, NY, May 1968.
The Asia Society, New York, NY, bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY, 1979.

This charming small bronze depicts the Hindu god Shiva with his wife Parvati sitting on his left knee, a common configuration called Uma-Maheshvara after two other names of the two gods. Shiva can be identified by the crescent moon in his headdress, by the trident encircled by a snake to his right, and by his vehicle (vahana), the bull Nandi, who kneels below his right foot. Parvati, who embraces Shiva with her right hand and holds up a mirror for him in her left hand, is identified by her lion vehicle. The kneeling female figure on the base of the statue represents either a generic devotee or the patron of this sculpture.