Shiva and Uma (Somaskanda)

Historical period(s)
Chola dynasty, 12th century
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W x D: 59.2 x 71.8 x 31.6 cm (23 5/16 x 28 1/4 x 12 7/16 in)
Geography
India, Tamil Nadu state
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1987.907a-e
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Sculpture
Type

Figure

Keywords
Chola dynasty (850 - 1280), Hinduism, India, Shiva, Uma
Provenance

By 1959-?
Shiva Temple in Alattur village, Mannarkudi taluk, Tamil Nadu, India [1]

From at least 1970 1987
Arthur M. Sackler (1913 1987), method of acquisition unknown [2]

From 1987
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Arthur M. Sackler [3]

Notes:
[1] In the fall of 2022, the museum discovered that the Somaskanda bronze was from the Shiva temple (also known as Visvanatha) located in Alattur village (alternate spelling: Alathur), Mannarkudi taluk (alt spelling: Mannargudi), Tamil Nadu, India. In 1959, the sculpture was photographed at this temple; the original photograph is at the photo archive jointly run by the École Française d'Extrême Orient (EFEO) and the French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP). It is unclear when the sculpture left the Tamil Nadu temple.

[2] See the "Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Gift Inventory," number L70.16.2, copy in object file. In 1970, Arthur M. Sackler loaned the sculpture to the Brooklyn Museum, where the museum assigned it the loan number of "L70.16.2."

[3] Pursuant to the agreement between Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

Research updated on February 3, 2023.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Shiva Temple in Alattur village, Mannarkudi taluk, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987

Published References
  • et al. Asian Art in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery: The Inaugural Gift. Washington, 1987. cat. 30, p. 67.
Collection Area(s)
South Asian and Himalayan Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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