Untitled

Unknown

10th century · Granite · Asian Art

This statue is part of a group of unusual large stone carvings in the round from the Chola period. They all portray the same deity, long identified as Brahma but now thought to be Mahesha, a form of Shiva. Shiva’s worshipers believe that he manifests himself in three stages, which move from the abstract to the concrete—symbolized by the undecorated linga (shaft); the linga with one or more faces emerging from it; and, finally, Mahesha. From him are born the other two great Hindu gods, Brahma and Vishnu. Mahesha is shown here with four faces: on the right is Brahma; in the center, Shiva; on the left, Vishnu; and on the back, Rudra (possibly the predecessor of Shiva). The attributes associated with Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu are on their respective sides.

Artist

Unknown

Date

10th century

Medium

Granite

Culture

India (Tamil Nadu)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Egleston Fund, 1927