This is Veerabhadra, identified by his attributes and the accompanying figures. Veerabhadra is holding a sword, an arrow, a bow and a shield in his hands. Clockwise starting from the lower right.

Daksha, with a goat’s head, and Bhadrakali, with a sword and shield, flank Veerabhadra. Daksha is in Anjali mudra, offering his prayers. Normally, it is Sati who accompanies Veerabhadra. In this example, you see Bhadrakali.  In some parts of India, Northern Karnataka, Bhadrakali is considered Veerabhadra’s consort.

For the full story of Veerabharda, please refer to another blog on this site.

Other figures on this plaque include Linga (the aniconic form of Siva) and Nandi at the top corners, Sun and moon signs above the Linga and Nandi (top corner),  a worshipper, an outline of Linga and Ganesha below the platform on which the main figures are standing. The Sun and Moon signs are meant to indicate the eternal nature of the deity.

This is a cast piece and not an embossed plaque. It is three-dimensional. See the profile.

Veerabhadra is standing in Samapada with a huge presence, dwarfing Daksha and Bhadrakali in more than one way. Note the Saivite mark (three horizontal lines) on his forehead, the dagger on his right hip and the garland of skulls.

Also worth noting is the fact that Veerabhadra’ s shield (supported by a Cobra head) and Bhadrakali’s shield (supported by a spherical object) do not touch the ground.