A contemplative Shiva bust. Made from aventurine, a form of quartz that resembles jade in terms of colour and texture. Sculpted with equal parts skill and equal parts devotion, the major part of the composition’s dynamism lies in the multitudinous snakes that cradle the head of Shiva.

Large eyes that are shut deep in samadhi (yogic contemplation). The undulations of the facial features have been carved such as to bring out the aventurescence and the divine glamour of Shiva. His ample tresses are gathered back from His brow and cascade laterally down either cheek.

Right beneath the long neck cradles a bed of snakes. Like the animal of the divine spirit, they nestle against the supreme godhead with their hoods, of varying sizes, raised up to Him. Some rise on either side of His head, in no particular symmetry, and gather in infinite coils on top of His head. Imbued with realistic detail of texture and stance, the smooth serpentine bodies have a lifelike language.