Seated Somaskanda (Shiva and Uma) is a copper alloy sculpture that was produced in the Thanjavur-Pudukkottai region of south India. It dates to the late 10th-early 11th century.

This sculpture is of a seated group that originally comprised of Shiva on the left, his consort Uma (Parvati) on the right, and their child Skanda (now missing) in the centre. Shiva has four arms, three eyes, and sits with one leg pendent. On the tips of his upper left hand's fingers, there stands an antelope. The antelope's head is turned towards Shiva, and its hind legs are raised as it is simultaneously leaps forward. In between the fingers of his upper right arm, Shiva holds an axe (parasu). His lower left hand is poised in the mudraor gesture of ahuya-varada (summoning/inviting his devotees), and the lower right hand in that of abhaya mudra for bestowing protection.

Shiva's matted locks are piled high (jata makuta), and decked with a cobra, half-moon and datura flower. At the back of his head, there is a wheel-like siras cakra (disc for hanging garlands). His clothing consists of a tiger skin that wraps around his waist, over which a girdle and sash are worn. Other details of his dress include the sacred thread, a waistband, keyura armlets that are spiral in design, elbow bracelets, and ear ornaments. In his left ear, Shiva wears a patra kundalaand in the right a makara kundala.

Parvati sits with her body turned towards Shiva and her left leg pendent. In her right hand she holds a lotus-bud, whilst her left hand is poised in the gesture of varada mudra (granting of wishes or boons). She wears a seven tiered coronet (karanda makuta), makara-kundala ear pendants, keyura armlets and anklets. Across her lower body, a heavily embellished floral patterned fabric is drapped, and over this she wears a girdle.

The figure of Skanda is missing. He was depicted as a naked child who wore a channavira-type harness and a light girdle, which left his genitals exposed. He also wore a karanda-type coronet and held a lotus-bud in each hand.

The figures rest on a rectangular base with upright projections. The purpose of the projections was to support an arch shaped surround (torana), and or enable hooks to be attached so that this sculpture could be carried during religious processions or ceremonies.

Given by Sir Arthur Lawley

Presented in 1929 by Sir Arthur Lawley, who had previously been the Governor of Madras (1906-11).

Probably from Thanjavur-Pudukottai region, Tamil Nadu, south India

Attribution note: Spectrographic analysis of the metal showed copper with more than 2% each of tin, zinc and lead; more than 0.2% each of iron, silicone, aluminium, silver and calcium; and a small trace of nickel.

This sculpture represents Shiva seated with his consort Uma (Parvati) and their child Skanda (now missing) in the centre. This subject was especially popular in shrines of the Pallava period (300-888 AD), and continued to be so in the Chola period (850-1267 AD). They were often produced for processional use. In this example, the figures rest on a rectangular base with upright projections that could support an arch shaped surround (torana), and or have rings attached through which a cord could be secured that would enable this image to be carried during processions.

Shiva sits upright with his four arms clearly displayed. In his upper right hand, Shiva holds an axe (parasu), whilst his lower right hand is poised in the gesture of abhaya-mudra (bestowing protection). Similarly, his lower left hand is held in the vitarka-mudra,which implies that Shiva is the expounder of subtle knowledge. Separately, from Shiva's upper left hand, an antelope is seen leaping with its head turned towards him. This possibly alludes to Shiva's avatar as Pasupati, the Lord of the Animals.

Shiva's ear-ornaments are distinctive. He wears a circular ear-lobe plug (patra kundala) on the left and a pendant makara kundala on the right, together these emphasise his dual nature.

Parvati sits turned towards Shiva. In her right hand she holds a lotus-bud, while her left hand bestows grace using the varada-mudra.Both figures have a projecting disc (siras cakra) at the back of their heads. This was used for hanging garlands during pujas (worship) and processions.

IM.158-1929