A virile deity in solid bronze. Extensive rendering and hand-chiseled details shimmer over an aged patina. Induced with spirit and poise, the grandeur and power of the God of Creation is depicted as Ardhanarishvara, an emanation in a composite androgynous form, combining aspects of the Hindu deities Shiva and his consort, Parvati. Ardhanarishvara embodies the synthesis of the masculine and feminine aspects of the universe as Purusha (Consciousness) and Prakriti (Energy, Shakti). Their union is an embodiment of cosmic union, exalted as the root of all creation and existence. Ardhanarishvara is typically depicted with two or four arms; this eight-armed form suggests a multifaceted manifestation that amplifies the deity's power with a greater range of attributes. Detailed with jewels and necklaces, on the left half, the ornamentation of Parvati is more sharply defined in a rich array of jewelry embellished on her opulent form. On the right half, Shiva is depicted with a masculine, youthful figure. Incorporation of both Hindu and Buddhist iconography, the lost-wax casting style, with its intricate details, jewelry, and robust yet elegant posture, is strongly reminiscent of the Newari tradition from Nepal.