|
11. Somaskanda India, Tamil Nadu Chola 12th c. bronze, cast in four pieces in the lost wax method height 38,5 cm/wide 46 cm. |
Somaskanda is the name given to the divine couple Shiva and Parvati with their son Skanda. The term Somaskanda means: Sa (He or Shiva), Uma (Shiva’s spouse), and Skanda (their son). All three gods occupy prominent places in the Hindu pantheon. Shiva is the god of destruction and creation, Parvati is the lovely embodiment of womanhood, and Skanda is known as the god of war. In the Chola period the Somaskanda image was an important promoter of the family ideal. In literature, the conjugal love of the divine couple and their delight in each other’s beauty was and still is a theme for joyous celebration. Shiva and Parvati are seated in the rajalilasana posture, with one leg extended down over the long rectangular pedestal and the other resting comfortably on its top. The child Skanda stands between them on the pedestal, his knees bent outwards towards his parents. Shiva holds his battle-axe in his upper right hand, and his front hand in abhayamudra, the gesture of protection and the blessing of fearlessness. In his upper left hand is a deer, symbol of his association with the animal world. The front left hand is in bhutadamara, the gesture in which the thumb and fingers make a circle and which inspires awe. Uma makes the same gesture with her right hand, while her left is held in varadamudra, the gesture conferring grace, charity and gift bestowing. In his left ear Shiva wears his typical large circular earring, patrakundala, and in the right a makarakundala in the shape of a water monster’s head. His hair is piled into a high jatamukuta and an urna, or third eye, is vertically placed in the centre of his forehead. A yajnopavita, the sacred cord, crosses his torso. Uma and Skanda each wear a karandamukuta on their heads, and like Shiva are adorned with necklaces, flowers behind the ears, earrings, bracelets, anklets, rings and ornaments. On both sides of the base are the rings for the rods by which the statue would be carried in processions. The Cholas were one of the greatest and most gifted of the dynasties to rule India, and did so for a continuous period of some 430 years. Founded circa 850 by Vijayalaya, it was based on the ruins of the Pallavas. Chola artists are renowned for depicting their gods with great skills and lively expression. This bronze sculpture is an expressive example of the Chola period and embodies all the typical stylistic characteristics. It attests to an exceptional method of bronze casting that required no additional carving or chiselling. Depicted in a well balanced harmonious composition, this Somaskanda group is modelled with fine movements, subtle poses and lively expressions. The natural wear and tear is an indication of the original use of a worshipped temple and procession sculpture, and the natural greenish patina complements the aesthetic quality of the work. With impressive majesty and beauty, this image of Somaskanda reflects the high artistic level of bronze casting during the Chola period in South India. Provenance: - Collection Peter Roth. before 1975. - Collection Jean Choisez, March 1975 - January 2007. - Published in Armand Neven, Beeldhouwkunst uit India, 1978, page 118, no 46. - Exhibited: Generale Bankmaatschappij, Brussels, 8 december 1978/ 31 Jan. 1979. Art Loss Register Certificate, Reference S00002780. M. Albanese, The Treasures of Angkor, White Star Publishers, Vercelli, Italy, 2006, p.30, pl. 30-31. Cambodia, Buddha Naga and Buddha head, Baphuon style, 11th century, height 38 cm, Musée Guimet, Paris, MG 18051. J. Auboyer, Khmer-Kunst. Hauptwerke aus dem Musée Guimet, Paris, Du Atlantis magazine, n°297, November 1965, p. 862, n°31. Cambodia, Sitting Buddha, Bayon style, 12th century, height 103 cm. Musée Guimet, Paris, MG 17483. E . C. Bunker and D. Latchford, Adoration and Glory. The Golden Age of Khmer Art, Chicago, 2004, p.236, n°81. Cambodia, Buddha, Baphuon style, second half of the 11th century, height 104 cm, National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, K 2885. J. Boisselier, La statuaire khmère et son évolution (EFEO 37), II, pl.96 A, Saigon, 1955. Cambodia, Buddha, Baphuon style, 11th century, height 75 cm. N . Dalsheimer, Les collections du musée de Phnom Penh, L’art du Cambodge ancien, Paris, 2001, p.142, n°63. Cambodia, Buddha Naga, Angkor Vat, second half of the 11th century, height 135 cm. Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, Cambodia, Buddha Naga, 11th century-The Nelson Atkins Museum, Kansas City. |