India, 16th / 17th century CE. Rare copper/bronze depiction of Shiva holding attributes in four hands, including a Shiva Trident, standing on a lotus base. On his back is a graceful sculpture of a hunting dog. Shiva is regarded as one of the primary forms of God. He is the Supreme God within Shaivism, one of the three most influential denominations in contemporary Hinduism. He is one of the five primary forms of God in the Smarta tradition, and "the Destroyer" or "the Transformer" among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. Shiva has many benevolent and fearsome forms. At the highest level Shiva is limitless, transcendent, unchanging and formless. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash, as well as a householder with wife Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya and in fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons. Shiva is also regarded as the patron god of yoga and arts. 2-1/2"H x 1-1/2"W.

Provenance: Ex-D. Strunk Collection, HI.

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excellent