ŚIWA STATUE

Śiwa is known and revered as The Destroyer, one of the Trimurti (trinity) that represents the three most powerful gods in the Hindu religion. Śiwa used to be highly worshipped, in Hindu Indonesia. The island of Java had many temples dedicated to him from the 8th to the 15th century. This statue is made of gold sheet. Śiwa is depicted standing, without a base. His right hand is gripping a short stick, while his left hand is holding a kuņdika (small water vessel). His hair is formed into a jaţāmukuţa (crown made of hair) and embellished with candrakapāla (skulls and a crescent moon motif). In the center of Śiwa's forehead is a third eye. As jewelry he is wearing long earrings, a necklace, a caste cord (upawita), shoulder decorations (keyura), arm bands and other bracelets, a belt and waist ornaments. A long piece of cloth can be seen in front of his thighs and, up to his knees, on both sides of his legs. Śiwa is wearing knee pants with a floral and geometric motif. It appears as if the edges of the statue were cut in a somewhat rough manner.