Shiva and Uma (Somaskanda)

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

• Origin

  Tamil Nadu state, India

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1200s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Shiva Temple in Alattur village, Mannarkudi taluk, Tamil Nadu, India

• Place

  Tamil Nadu state, India

• Topic

  Bronze, South Asian and Himalayan Art, Art, Sculpture, Chola dynasty (850 - 1280), Uma, Shiva, Metal-work

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians, Hindus

• Object Type

  Sculpture