Shiva Nataraja, Indian Chola Bronze figure of the God Shiva. 12th century AD
Shiva Nataraja. India, Tamil Nadu Chola style 12th century, bronze. Shiva, in his manifestation as Nataraja (King of Dancers), represented in the anandatandava pose and encircled by a halo of fire, is both the creator and destroyer of the world. Beneath his foot is a dwarf, symbolizing ignorance.