Restituted in December 2023 This work of art has been removed from the Museum's permanent collection. Learn more about The Met's collecting practices.

Ardhanarishvara (Composite of Shiva and Parvati)

Cambodia

Not on view

Shiva can be depicted as half male and half female to indicate the shakta-shakti relationship of the whole. Ardhanarishvara images are literal in their illustration of this unity. Here, the female side shows Parvati’s elegant hairstyle and long skirt, while the male side has Shiva’s mustache and third eye.

Deaccessioned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art for return to the Kingdom of Cambodia, 2023

Ardhanarishvara (Composite of Shiva and Parvati), Bronze, Cambodia

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Ardhanarishvara (Composite of Shiva and Parvati), Bronze, Cambodia
Ardhanarishvara (Composite of Shiva and Parvati), Bronze, Cambodia

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