A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c13.s5.t2.10

c13.s5.t2.10

The Tanjore Dancing Siva is considered by the Superintendent of the Central Museum, Madras, to be quite equal in artistic merit to the museum specimen previously published by Dr. Coomaraswamy and Mr. Havell. It differs in various details from the other examples of the type, and especially in the absence of the long braids of hair whirling in the dance. The explanation of the symbolism and criticism of the artistic qualities of the various representations of the dancing god will be more conveniently deferred until we discuss the Ceylonese examples. This Tanjore image (Fig. 174), although described as 'copper', probably is bronze. Its age is uncertain.