Tympanum. Xth century, Trà Kiêu style. Stone. H. 59.6 cm, W 99.8 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Gift of Robert H. Ellsworth in memory of Phyllis E. Dillon, 1982.

Flanked by two female attendants, Shiva sits on his vehicle Nandin. Each of the three figures is supported by a full blown lotus. Two small males attendants are standing in the background, each under a chatra. While the weatherworn condition of this tympanum precludes a description of additional features, except to say that Shiva is holding a trident in his left hand, and what appears to be a rosary in his right hand, the three-tiered headgear places him in the Xth century Trà Kiêu style, the style of another relief showing a dancing Shiva that was once also flanked by two attendants. (Boisselier 1963 a : Fig 112).

"Some Remarkable Cham sculptures in American Museums" Natasha Eilenberg, Robert L. Brown

 

Article de "La Lettre de la SACHA" n°6, décember 1999, page 7.