Bidspirit auction | Embossed silver plaque of Virabhadra

Embossed silver plaque of Virabhadra - Embossed silver plaque of Virabhadra Southern India, 19th century Devotional bas-relief depicting Virabhadra, the fierce warrior form of the god Shiva, manifested to avenge the insult of Daksa. The deity is shown standing beneath an arch adorned with intertwined nagas, wearing numerous ornaments including the jatamukuta crown and a finely incised dhoti. The warrior Shiva brandishes a sword in his right hand-rendered as a separate, three-dimensional element applied to the surface of the plaque-and is flanked by two figures: Daksa, with a ram's head, punished by Virabhadra for failing to honor Shiva, and Bhadrakali, the powerful and destructive emanation of the goddess Parvati, created to aid Virabhadra. The composition is framed by a torana decorated with vegetal motifs, lunar and solar symbols, and other Shaivite emblems such as the linga and the bull Nandi. Provenance: Central Italy collection. H. 16 X l. 10.5 cm