Vinadhara (Shiva as Lord of Music and Knowledge)

ca. early 11th century

For his devotees, Shiva is the ultimate deity who oversees the cycles of creation and destruction. This Shiva’s front hands once held a vina, a stringed instrument, identifying him as Lord of Music. Through rituals, priests transfer the energy of a stone icon into portable bronze sculptures so that the god can emerge from the temple. Wearing silk, gold, and flowers and riding atop a huge wooden chariot, this bronze would have brought Shiva’s blessings to all the city’s inhabitants.

Bronze

22 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (56.52 x 33.66 cm)

Overall h.: 26 1/2 in.

Diam.: 8 1/4 in.

.7 oz (.02 kg)

Purchased from the bequest of Charles M. Clark

64.55

Now on view at the Asian Art Museum

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing.

Published References"Selected Works." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1991, p. 147

Rogers, Millard B. "Recent Acquisitions of the Seattle Art Museum," in Archaeology, Vol. 17, no. 4, December 1964, pp. 262-269, illus. b&w (265)

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