This 19th Century silver plaque depicts the god Shiva in his most powerful form, the four-armed wrathful Virabhadra. See image notes for explanation of the depiction and Hindu symbols.
1. Virabhadra stands in front of an elaborate torana (archway)
2. He is barefoot
3. He has the third eye on his forehead
Virabhadra carries:
3. a sword in his right hand
4. an arrow in his second right hand
5. a bow in his second left hand
6. His left hand leans on his shield
Virabhadra wears:
7. ear rings
8. elaborate jewellery round his neck
9. ankle amulets
10.a headdress topped with a Shiva linga
11.A cobra is wrapped around his thighs
At the top of the plaque, there are symbols for:
12. Nandi, the bull calf
13. the crescent moon
14. a kirtimukha mask
15. the sun
16. a shiva lingam (shivalinga)
17. Daksha, with his restored ram’s head, is the small figure on Virabhadra’s right
18. His consort Bhadrakali is on his left. Their hands are in anjali mudra, the prayer position.
These plaques are used in Shaivite worship
The silver plaque is backed with copper. It originates from Maharashtra or Karnataka in Southern India.