Shiva Nataraja, 13th century, Tamil Nadu Province, India. Bronze, height: 93.66 cm; width: 82.55 cm; depth: 30.48 cm; base diameter: 27.94 cm. Dora Porter Mason Collection, 1947.2 © Denver Art Museum

The Hindu god Shiva dances the universe into and out of existence. The sound of his drum heralds its creation; his burning flame signals its final conflagration. In his dance, Shiva tramples on the demon of forgetfulness, shown in the form of an infant. The cycle of time—past, present, and future—runs through the circle of flames within which he dances.

Provenance : (C.T. Loo & Company), New York, by 1947; purchase with funds from the Dora Porter Mason bequest, Denver Art Museum, 1947.