Somaskanda Copper Alloy Southern India, early Vijayanagar Period

A miniature sculpture of Somaskanda, a representation of Shiva together with Parvati and their son Skanda positioned on a common plinth. Shiva sits in the posture of relaxation (lalitasana) and is four-armed holding in his upper hands an axe (parasu) and a deer (mrga) while his lower right hand forms a gesture of reassurance (abhaya mudra) and the lower left forming the gesture of giving (ahuyavarada mudra).  Uma also sits in lalitasana on a double lotus throne holding the lotus in her right hand and forming the gesture of giving (ahuyavarada mudra) with her left. She is slightly turned towards the diminutive figure of their son Skanda who stands between them at the front edge of the plinth.

J. J. Klejman, New York.