Publisher's Synopsis
Between the eighth and the thirteenth centuries, the Chola dynasty was the dominant cultural, artistic, religious and political force in southern India. The bronze representations of Shiva and other Hindu gods are the most spectacular objects that they created. This extensively illustrated book is the catalogue of an exhibition at the Royal Academy which presents over forty of these exquisite objects. The authors explore how and why these objects came to be made and the role they played within Hinduism and Chola culture. Chola bronzes are among the finest examples of bronze casting, and the technical brilliance of their manufacture is discussed. Full-page illustrations and lavish details of the works reveal the beauty of these sensational objects, which will be a revelation to a European audience.
