Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The bronze statue depicts Shiva as Lord of Dance. The deity has a serene face with a closed mouth and a long nose. He has four arms, with the upper right hand holding a drum and the upper left hand holding a flame. The lower right hand is palm out and facing the viewer, while the lower left hand points to the upturned left foot. The figure stands on the right leg while the left leg is bent and pointed. The figure has a tall crown on the head; long strands extend from the crown to the back. The figure wears a necklace in several layers around the neck. A belt wraps around the waist. Bracelets and anklets adorn the wrists and ankles. A circle surrounds the figure with hands protruding from it. The circle sits on a rounded base with a design around the top. A figure lies on the base. The statue has a green patina.