Antique Indian Style Bronze Seated 4-Arm Shiva Statue - 22cm/9"

Shiva Statue - Antique Indian Style Bronze Seated 4-Arm Shiva Statue - 22cm/9"

Four-Armed Lord of Meditation on a Tiger-Skin Seat

Measures (Height) 22cm/9"

An expressive antique Indian style bronze sculpture depicting Shiva seated cross-legged upon a tiger-skin pedestal. The composition combines the tranquillity of the great ascetic with the authority of a four-armed deity, presenting a richly detailed image of protection, contemplation, and transformative power.

Shiva’s face is gently composed, with lowered eyes, a defined nose, and softly shaped lips. His hair is gathered into a high topknot, with long strands flowing over the shoulders and down the back. A circular halo, worked with radiating flame-like ornament, frames the head and gives the figure a strong devotional presence.

The rear hands hold a trident and an axe, while the front right hand is raised with its palm outward in a reassuring gesture of protection. The front left hand rests beside the knee, accompanied by a strand of prayer beads. A cobra rises at the shoulder, its expanded hood clearly articulated, while further bead necklaces and ornaments enrich the torso.

Shiva sits upon a textured animal-skin seat, with the tiger’s head prominently modelled at the front and its pelt extending around the base. The contrast between the calm seated figure and these powerful attributes gives the sculpture its distinctive character.

A dark brown surface, with warmer highlights across the face, hands, hair, and ornaments, lends depth to the modelling. At approximately 22 cm high, the piece offers an engaging focal point for a home, study, devotional setting, or collection of Hindu sculpture.

Shiva: Stillness and Transformation

Shiva is one of Hinduism’s principal deities and is often described as the destroyer within the Trimurti, alongside Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver. This role encompasses transformation and renewal, not destruction alone. He is also revered as a great ascetic and a patron of yoga, meditation, and the arts.

The present image brings these aspects together. The settled posture suggests inward composure, while the trident, axe, serpent, and tiger skin express the formidable power associated with the deity. Shiva’s ascetic appearance—matted hair, prayer beads, and animal-skin clothing—is an established part of his artistic identity.

Attributes and Symbolism

The Trident and Drum

The trishula, or trident, is one of Shiva’s most recognisable attributes. Its three points receive several traditional interpretations, including the three cosmic functions of creation, preservation, and dissolution, or the three gunas, the fundamental qualities of nature. A small drum is attached beneath the trident’s prongs, bringing together two familiar emblems of Shiva.

The Axe

The axe, or parashu, is another established attribute of Shiva. Here, its broad blade balances the trident on the opposite side, giving the seated composition a formal symmetry.

The Raised Palm

The front right hand is held in abhaya mudra, the gesture of reassurance and protection. Its open palm offers a gentle counterpoint to the weapons behind it, presenting Shiva as approachable as well as powerful.

The Cobra and Tiger Skin

The cobra and tiger skin connect the figure with Shiva’s ascetic imagery. In devotional interpretations, these powerful creatures can express mastery over fear, instinct, and untamed forces. The animal-skin seat also identifies the deity’s setting as that of a yogic ascetic rather than a worldly ruler.

Key Features

• Antique Indian-style seated Shiva sculpture.

• Height approximately 22 cm / 9 inches.

• Four-armed figure seated cross-legged.

• Rear hands holding a trident and axe.

• Small drum attached beneath the trident’s prongs.

• Front right hand raised in a gesture of reassurance.

• Front left hand resting beside the knee, with prayer beads.

• Cobra with an expanded hood rising at the shoulder.

• Hair gathered into a high topknot and falling down the back.

• Circular halo with radiating flame-like decoration.

• Detailed necklaces, earrings, arm ornaments, and waist covering.

• Tiger-skin pedestal with a modelled animal head at the front.

• Dark brown surface with warmer highlights and areas of wear.

• Detailed reverse, including flowing hair and the textured seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Shiva?

Shiva is a major Hindu deity associated with transformation, dissolution, renewal, asceticism, and divine power. He is also honoured as a master of yoga and meditation. His imagery can therefore range from inwardly composed seated forms to vigorous dancing or fierce manifestations.

Why does Shiva have four arms?

Multiple arms allow an artist to show several divine powers and attributes simultaneously. In this sculpture, the arrangement combines the trident and axe with a protective gesture and prayer beads, bringing together authority, reassurance, and contemplative practice.

What is the small object attached to the trident?

It is a drum, conventionally associated with Shiva’s damaru. The drum is a familiar emblem of the deity and commonly appears alongside his trident.

Why is Shiva seated on a tiger skin?

The tiger skin is a familiar attribute of Shiva as an ascetic and yogi. It distinguishes the seat from an ordinary throne and contributes to the image of disciplined spiritual power. Here, the tiger’s head and textured pelt make that association especially clear.

What does the cobra represent?

The serpent is among Shiva’s characteristic attributes. It reinforces his connection with powerful natural forces and is often interpreted devotionally as a sign of mastery over danger and fear. The sculpture’s cobra is shown with its hood raised beside the head.

Is Shiva wearing a crown?

The upper arrangement is better described as a high topknot or jatamukuta—a crown-like mass of hair—rather than an ordinary royal crown. The long strands visible on the reverse reinforce this reading. Matted hair is a defining feature of Shiva’s ascetic appearance.

Does the sculpture have a third eye?

The forehead is worked with Shaiva markings and a central detail consistent with Shiva’s third-eye imagery. However, its precise carving should be checked directly before describing every mark in detail. Trilochana means “three-eyed” and is an epithet of Shiva, rather than the name of a separate ornament.

How should it be handled?

Support the substantial pedestal when moving it. Avoid lifting by the halo, trident, axe, arms, cobra hood, or prayer beads. Check whether any attributes are separately attached before repositioning the sculpture.

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