HARIHARA STATUE

Harihara combines the attributes of Śiwa and Wișņu, has four arms, and represents both of these deities. This statue is made from a hammered, thin sheet of gold (using the repousse technique) and was embossed by the artisans. The right side of the statue depicts Śiwa, his lower right hand holding a kundika (water vessel) without a handle and the upper right displaying akșamālā (prayer beads). Near Śiwa's right leg is an anthropomorphic Nandi, a human body with the head of an ox. Nandi is Lord Śiwa's mount, which has the body of an ox.
The left side of this piece shows Wișņu, with the lower left hand holding a round sphere and the upper one, which is partly damaged, showing an object which might symbolize a diamond. Near the left leg, there is an anthromorphic Garuda, the ride of Wișņu. The cloth, which part of the statue, has multilayered pleats on the right side, while the left side is adorned with a floral tendril motif.