Veerabhadra Shield

This is a brass Veerabhadra shield from North Karnataka/Maharashtra, which would have been used in ritual dances. Veerabhadra the warrior, also known as Veerabathira or Veerabathiran, is a fierce and fearsome form of Shiva. He holds in his four hands a Bana (arrow), Khadga (sword), Dhanusha (bow), and Khetaka (shield). Above him at the apex of the arched prabhavali is the protective face of a yali. To the right of the Yali is Nandi, Shiva's vahana, and to the left a lingam. At the base of the shield on the left is Daksha Prajapathi, and on the right is his consort the goddess Parvati. The size mentioned is with the base stand.