Polished Bronze Nataraja Statue 19"

Special Features:  The polished bronze dancing Shiva as Lord Nataraja has some impressive details.  The artist paid more attention to the details of the piece by adding many extra details in the jewelry and in the lifelike expression of the dwarf.  The Nataraja has perfect balance and proportions which are the key to a fine Nataraja sculpture.

The Symbolism Behind the Snakes Worn by Shiva:  Nataraja wears a snake coiled around his upper arms and neck symbolizing the power he has over the most deadly of creatures. Snakes are also used to symbolize the Hindu dogma of reincarnation. Their natural process of molting or shedding their skin is symbolic of the human souls transmigration of bodies from one life to another.

About the Golden Polish:  This bronze sculpture has been polished after casting giving it a golden shine.  Polished bronze pieces are often used in temples.  Temples prefer the polished bronze icons because the rituals involved in puja often involve bathing the bronze deity, which naturally removes the bronze patina of an older piece.  Over time and with no periodic care the golden polish will naturally dull to form a dark patina that is naturally found on aged bronze.

Care:  Regular dusting should keep the piece clean.  Over the years the golden polish will fade.  In order to keep the piece shiny you can use a cotton rag and some coconut oil to regularly clean the piece.  You can also use lemon or tamarind juice to wipe the piece down.  The acid from the lemon/tamarind removes any patina.