Sharabha as an Avatar of the Hindu God Shiva
Artist/Culture
South Indian
Artist/Culture
Tamil Nādu
(India)
DateVijayanagar period, 1400s
MediumCopper
Dimensions12.7 x 8.1 x 6 cm (5 x 3 3/16 x 2 3/8 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineMuseum purchase from Peter Marks, New York, NY; Alexander H. Bullock Fund
Object number1971.27
DescriptionSculpture illustrating a Shaivite tale about the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. Shiva in the form of Sharabha (a mythical animal with wings and the legs, claws, and tail of a lion) attacking Vishnu in the incarnation of Narasimha (a man-lion). Sharbha holds an axe and an antelope. Nrasimbha holds a wheel and a mace. Two of his hands are joined in a gesture, or mudra, of supplication, showing his deference to Sharabha. Dynamic movement characteristic of sculpture from Tamil Nadu in south India at the time.Label TextThis dynamic sculpture illustrates a Shaivite sectarian tale about the Hindu gods Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu had assumed the incarnation of Narasimha (a man-lion) in order to destroy a demon. However, when he remained in this form and threatened mankind, Shiva came to the rescue by assuming the form of Sarabhesa, a mythical animal with wings and the legs, claws, and tail of a lion. As shown here, Shiva attacked Vishnu as Narasimha until Vishnu came to his senses.ProvenancePeter Marks, 19 East 79th Street, New York, NY
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