Large Bronze Shiva Nataraja

• Imposing bronze representation of Shiva Nataraja, lord of the cosmic dance.
• India, mid-20th century.
• Provenance: Estate of Asian art dealer and collector Claude de Marteau.
• This piece has been left in the open air for several decades, and a powdery verdigris patina has naturally formed. We froze it by treating the metal.
• H 76 cm x W 62 cm x D 25 cm
• Estimated weight about 25KG
• Period restoration on the rear (See photo and legend, blue circle)

The Shiva Nataraja, or “Shiva Lord of the Dance”, is one of the most famous representations of Shiva in Hindu art. This image symbolizes both destruction and creation, the eternal cycle of life.

Here’s a detailed explanation of the symbolism of this bronze image:

• Tandava, dance posture: Shiva is represented in a dynamic posture, one leg raised and the other resting on the Apasmara demon, symbolizing ego and ignorance crushed by divine knowledge.
• Around Shiva, a circle of flames: representing the cosmos, the cycle of destruction and creation.
• The four arms:

-One hand holds a drum (Damaru) symbolizing creation through primordial sound.

-Another holds a flame, representing destruction.

-One hand makes the gesture of abhaya mudra, the absence of fear, a symbol of protection.

-The last one points to the raised foot, a symbol of liberation.

The peaceful, impassive face expresses transcendence despite the cosmic dance, while the sparse hair reinforces the idea of movement:

• the moon (Chandra): Symbolizes Shiva’s control over the passage of time and cosmic rhythms.
• The Ganges (Ganga): Symbolizes purity, fertility and the protection of life.

These two elements reinforce his role as protector of the universe, eternal master of natural cycles and mediator between chaos and order.