Object Details
- Provenance
- By 1959-?
- Shiva Temple in Alattur village, Mannarkudi taluk, Tamil Nadu, India [1]
- ?-1970
- William H. Wolff, Inc., method of acquisition unknown [2]
- 1970-1987
- Arthur M. Sackler (1913 1987), purchased from William H. Wolff, Inc. [3]
- From 1987
- Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler [4]
- Notes:
- [1] In the fall of 2022, the museum discovered that the Somaskanda bronze was photographed in the Shiva temple (also known as Visvanatha) located in Alattur village (alternate spelling: Alathur), Mannarkudi taluk (alt spelling: Mannargudi), Tamil Nadu, India, in 1959; the original photograph is at the photo archive jointly run by the École Française d'Extrême Orient (EFEO) and the French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP). It is unclear when the sculpture left the Tamil Nadu temple.
- [2] See invoice from William H. Wolff, Inc. to Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, February 11th 1970, copy in object file. The work is described as "02/311 A: Large Bronze SOMASKANDA (seated Siva & Parvati) 23" high, India, Chola Period, 10th century." See also, undated document entitled "Dr. Sackler Selection" on William H. Wolff, Inc. letter head, where work is listed as "02/311 A, Chola Sumaskanda[sic]," copy in object file.
- [3] See note 2.
- [4] Pursuant to the agreement between Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.
- Research updated on May 8, 2023.
- Collection
- Arthur M. Sackler Collection
- Exhibition History
- Gods, Companions, and Devotees (October 14, 2017 to March 13, 2020)
- Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (May 4, 1988 to July 9, 2017)
- Previous custodian or owner
- Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)
- Shiva Temple in Alattur village, Mannarkudi taluk, Tamil Nadu, India
- Credit Line
- Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
- 12th century
- Period
- Chola dynasty
- Accession Number
- S1987.907a-e
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Sculpture
- Medium
- Bronze
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 59.2 x 71.8 x 31.6 cm (23 5/16 x 28 1/4 x 12 7/16 in)
- Origin
- Tamil Nadu state, India
- Related Online Resources
- Google Cultural Institute
- See more items in
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Topic
- casting
- metal
- bronze
- Hinduism
- Shiva
- Uma
- Chola dynasty (850 - 1280)
- India
- South Asian and Himalayan Art
- Record ID
- fsg_S1987.907a-e
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye3e12c1f4c-0ffc-4bbc-9adc-4594f66eef1c
