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2003/136/5 Figure of Bhairva and Vahana (Siva and his dog), bronze, maker unknown, South India, 1500-1600. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 1, 2003/136/5 Figure of Bhairva and Vahana (Siva and his dog), bronze, maker unknown, South India, 1500-1600. Click to enlarge

Indian bronze figure of Bhairva and Vahana.

This small bronze figure represents the Hindu God Siva in his terrifying form as Bhairava, the graveyard dweller. He is particularly worshipped by outcast groups and often depicted accompanied by a dog, Vahana. Bhairava is the name of the Southern face of Siva; he often serves as the doorkeeper of Saiva temples and is invoked in rites to destroy enemies.

Siva is 'the auspicious one'. Along with Brahma (the Creator) and Vishnu (the Protector), Siva (the Destroyer) is a member of the Hindu …

Summary

Object No.

2003/136/5

Object Statement

Figure of Bhairva and Vahana (Siva and his dog), bronze, maker unknown, South India, 1500-1600

Physical Description

Small bronze figure of Bhairava (Siva's wrathful manifestation) standing with feet slightly apart on a small, flat, plain rectangular base. Behind his legs is a dog (Vahana) wearing a collar. The figure is that of a naked male with four arms bent at the elbows; the rear two arms are held out to the side and the front pair reach forwards. All four hands clasp an attribute. The figure wears anklets, bracelets, armlets, earrings and sacred thread; his hair stands up from the head in the shape of flames.

Short URL

https://ma.as/319646

Dimensions

Height

101 mm

Width

55 mm

Depth

26 mm

Source

Credit Line

Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Alastair Morrison, 2003

Acquisition Date

12 October 2003

Cite this Object

Harvard

Indian bronze figure of Bhairva and Vahana. 2022, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 23 March 2023, <https://ma.as/319646>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/319646 |title=Indian bronze figure of Bhairva and Vahana. |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=23 March 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

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