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Shiva

Indian (Artist)
10th century CE
greenish grayish granite
(India, Nepal, and Tibet)

In this image, Shiva is both a yogic teacher and a supreme king. Unlike most images of the god, he wears a crown, and his hair, usually matted into dreadlocks, falls onto his shoulders in fine curls. Seated in a yogic posture and holding a rosary, he imparts knowledge to his devotees. He also holds a citron-like fruit filled with the seeds of the universe, a drum that beats the rhythm of the cosmos, and a trident, symbolizing the totality of existence.

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Collection of a retired professor from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, until April 1972; purchased by John Ford, Baltimore, April 1972; given to Walters Art Museum, 2004.

Exhibitions

2001-2003 Desire and Devotion: Art from India, Nepal, and Tibet in the John and Berthe Ford Collection. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara; Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque; Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham; Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong.

Conservation

Date Description Narrative
7/31/2001 Examination examined for condition
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Geographies

India, Karnataka, Bagli (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 19 5/16 × W: 13 × D: 4 15/16 in. (49 × 33 × 12.5 cm); Base H: 3 1/8 × W: 13 3/16 × D: 6 5/16 in. (8 × 33.5 × 16 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of John and Berthe Ford, 2004

Location in Museum

Across Asia: The John and Berthe Ford Gallery of Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan Art

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

25.254

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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