Kannappanayanar

     Tiruvalangadu, Tiruttani Taluk. About 10th Century AD.

      Hair tied in kesa-bandha fashion with a band over it in the middle and a wheel ornament on either side in front. No ear-rings. All necklaces are short and uniform, lowest one with a circular pendant. A quiver full of arrows on the right shoulder, attached to a band passing round left side of the waist, i.e., very much like a sacred thread but crossing the body in the opposite direction; bow hanging from the left shoulder; dagger in belt on pleated kilt in front of right leg. A cloth showing below kilt and reaching nearly to the knees.

Nataraja

     Poruppumettuppatti, Tirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District. About 9th Century AD.

     Nataraja in an altogether different posture, usually met with images found in the temples of the Pandya kings. Dancing with right leg lifted up on the demon , who is shown to be under great strain. The demon with curly hair, bracelets and other ornaments and with a serpent in his left hand is carved on the rectangular pitha. The pitha has a depression in its middle part the figure of lions in great activity in front and at the back and has flower designs at the sides. The pitha at its sides has two stumps supported by a mythical animal to receive the prabhavali, which is missing. The figure of Nataraja is adorned with jatamakuta. He wears simhakundala and patrakundalas in his ears. Three necklaces, the lowest one being the broadest, keyuras, bracelets, armlets, wristlets and rings on the fingers are present. padasaras are present.

Mahesvari

     Velankanni, Thanjavur District. Height 50 cm. 10th Century A.D.

     In this figure, Devi takes the attributes of her consort Siva and carries an axe and an antelope in the upper hands. The figure is seated in the Sukhasana posture. The hair is made to resemble a flame and is heart-like in form.

     The crescent moon and the Datura flower are shown.

     A yajnopavita with all the three strands joined together is seen on the trunk.

     The figure is seated  on an oval padmasana over a bhadrasana, both of which are moulded together.