385 - WOOD CARVING DEPICTING SHIVA NATARAJA INDIA 18TH CENTURY

WOOD CARVING DEPICTING SHIVA NATARAJA INDIA 18TH CENTURY Dimensions: Height 50 cm Wide 15 cm Depth 6 cm Weight: 2519 grams Dimensions: Height 50 cm Wide 15 cm Depth 6 cm Weight: 2519 grams A tall, narrow wooden relief carved with a dancing divine figure, the body turning through a lively, bent-knee pose above a stepped, lotus-like base. An elaborate headdress frames the expressive face, while layered ornaments, drapery and surrounding details fill the shallow rectangular field. The dark brown surface retains highlights along the raised carving, emphasising the rhythmic folds and incised patterning. The animated stance depicts Shiva Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, whose movement symbolises the ceaseless rhythms of creation and transformation. The strong vertical format and densely worked relief give the piece an architectural presence, as though intended to be encountered as part of a larger decorative setting.