Shiva 600 - 930

This sculpture of Shiva was made from bronze by an anonymous artist. The sculpture shows all the hallmarks of lost-wax casting: a highly skilled, labor-intensive process where the figure is first modeled in wax, then encased in clay. Molten bronze is poured in, melting the wax and taking its place. After cooling, the clay is broken away to reveal the final form, which can then be further refined. The choice of bronze is significant. Its durability suggests permanence and reverence, fitting for a deity. The weight of the material gives the small statue a feeling of presence that belies its size. And bronze, being a valuable material, indicates that the sculpture was likely commissioned by someone of means, reflecting Shiva's importance within the culture that produced it. So next time you see a bronze sculpture, remember the many hands and steps involved in its creation, and the social context that gave rise to it.