Gajasamharam, Shiva Battling the Elephant Red Marble Statue 20"

The surrounding ring around Shiva is the body of the dead elephant.  The dead skin of the elephant is a marked contrast from the Nataraja sculpture's cosmic arch.  There is a small "O" that is formed by the elephants tail on top of the sculpture.  In his hands he holds a cobra, bell, skull bowl, trident, sword and bow.  His last two hands are holding the elephant. 

The stone is absolutely beautiful.  The veins have a range of color with the most beautiful colors appearing in the perfect spots of the sculpture around Shiva's body.  There is even a spot of blue on the toe of Shiva. 

The Stories Behind the Sculpture: In Varanasi, India there was a demon in the form of an elephant who was harassing the saints and devotees of Shiva during their prayer.  Shiva then destroyed the elephant-demon for the lack of respect.  Thus the name, Gajasamharam, Sanskrit for "Killing the Elephant."
Another story with Shiva battling an elephant is part of the story of the Nataraja.  There were rishis and priests living in the forest known as 'Tharukavanam', they became very arrogant as they had mastered all the 'Vedas', 'Agamas' and 'Shastras' and could raise powerful creatures from the sacrificial fires to do their bidding. Lord Shiva wished to show these rishis their limitations and appeared as a handsome mendicant with Vishnu as his wife 'Mohini'. This created chaos in 'Tharukavanam' as the wives of the rishis fell under the spell of this charming, handsome mendicant while the youthful rishis fell for the allure of Mohini. The older rishis became very angry and wanted to destroy the pair. They raised a sacrificial fire, 'Homam', from which appeared a tiger which was directed at the pair. Lord Shiva killed the tiger, peeled off its skin and tied it around his waist. They raised an elephant which they sent against Lord Shiva, which Shiva destroyed.  Then the rishis produced a poisonous serpent, which Lord Shiva caught and wore around his neck. The rishis also sent a demon, 'Muyalakan', against Lord Shiva whom he crushed under his feet. Then the rishis sent the sacrificial fire against him which he put on his left hand. The rishis having lost the fire sent the Vedic 'mantras' which the Lord wore around his ankles. At this the rishis conceded defeat and the Lord revealed himself by dancing the 'Oorthava thandavam' with his matted hair unfurling in all eight directions and the world reverberating to his steps.