43 - BRONZE RELIEF PLAQUE DEPICTING VIRABHADRA, INDIA

BRONZE RELIEF PLAQUE DEPICTING VIRABHADRA, INDIA Dimensions: Height 30 cm Wide 19 cm Depth 8 cm Weight: 2649 grams A substantial cast-bronze devotional plaque depicting Virabhadra, the fierce warrior manifestation of Shiva, standing frontally beneath an elaborate arched canopy. The multi-armed deity adopts a powerful, wide-legged stance and wears a tiered crown, prominent earrings, necklaces and a richly ornamented lower garment. Weapons and ritual attributes are raised on either side, while two smaller standing attendants flank the central figure. A dramatic kirtimukha mask crowns the arch, with smaller figures and animal motifs enriching the upper corners and lower register. The reverse is also modelled with a figural composition and bears a prominent projecting mounting element. The dark bronze surface, with warm rubbed highlights and deeper patination in the recesses, brings out the precise casting of the ornaments, facial features and architectural borders. The combination of martial iconography, animated attendants and richly worked decoration gives the plaque a commanding presence within the tradition of Indian Shaivite devotional bronze sculpture.