SHIVA AND PARVATI Bronze South-India , 17th century Dimensions: Height 9,5 cm Weight: 343,2 grams The stepped throne starts off with a square base and a round lotus podest with beaded rims. Shiva is seated with one knee bent and the left leg stretched out. His wife Parvati is seated on his right knee and he is embracing her with one hand. Shiva is dressed in a short dhoti and wears lots of jewellery and a high headdress with lotus bud top. He has four hands, one forming the gesture of fearlessness, and the other holding the shankha and an antelope symbolising his role as lord of all creatures. Parvati is dressed in a long, striped dhoti and also wears a high conical headdress and is holding a lotus flower in her hand. The back is also executed with much detail showing the beaded chains and decorations.