Shiva
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Not receiving at present
Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- 7 days ago
- In this state since
- Sep 25, 2026
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the sculpture
This brass relief represents the Hindu god Shiva as Mahadeva (in the form of a great god). It is one of a rare group of ritual masks identified in the Chamba, Kulu and Sutlej valley regions of Himachal Pradesh, India. These masks were installed on portable shrines that were carried in procession during religious festivals.
Read on
The raised facial features have been worn smooth by devotional use. However, considerable cast and engraved detailing remains elsewhere. The pupils of the eyes are inset with a silver alloy, probably electrum. The mask is richly decorated with a crown dominated by a nine-petalled flower and with tassles at either side. Shiva's symbol - a crescent moon - is set in his hair. Similar flowers appear above the ears and the earlobes carry large circular earrings with a six-lobed design. On the chest there is a double chain necklace with a centrepiece container for an amulet (a charm to ward off evil).
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- IS.115-1985
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 7 days ago
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
