This antique bronze sculpture represents Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, one of the most powerful images in Hindu spiritual tradition. Created in Java at the beginning of the 20th century, the figure reflects the Hindu-Buddhist culture that once flourished across the island.

In this form, Shiva dances within a circular halo that represents the universe. The dance expresses the rhythm of existence — creation, transformation, and renewal — reminding us that the world is always in motion.

Each gesture carries meaning. One hand offers protection and reassurance, while another points toward the path of spiritual liberation. The raised foot symbolizes freedom from ignorance, while the lower foot subdues the forces that keep the mind in illusion.

Images of Shiva Nataraja appeared in temples and sacred spaces throughout ancient Java during the great Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms that shaped the island’s culture and art. These figures carried deep symbolic meaning and were seen as representations of cosmic balance.

The sculpture was made using the traditional lost-wax casting technique. The form was first shaped in wax, then covered in clay before molten bronze was poured into the mold. This method allows artisans to capture intricate details while preserving the character of handmade work.

The statue comes complete on its blackened metal support and with its printed story inside a beautiful envelope.

As a natural characteristic of bronze, the patina may continue to evolve subtly over time, developing gentle variations in tone that are part of the material’s authentic ageing process.

Material: Bronze
Origin: Java, Indonesia
Period: Early 1900s
Technique: Traditional lost-wax casting
Iconography: Shiva Nataraja, the cosmic dancer
Dimensions including the metal support: ca 59 x 30 x 19cm

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