Ardhanarishvara (Composite of Shiva and Parvati)

7th–8th century

Not on view

Restituted

This artwork was restituted in December 2023. It is no longer in the museum’s collection.

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

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Ardhanarishvara (Composite of Shiva and Parvati)
Period: pre-Angkor period
Date: 7th–8th century
Culture: Cambodia
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: H. 29 1/4 in. (74.3 cm); W. 10 in. (25.4 cm); D. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Enid A. Haupt, 1993
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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