Consider the following statements about the Ancient Hindu metal images in India: 1. The Chola period is well known for the aesthetic and technical finesse of its metal sculpture. 2. The iconography and style of Chola metal images were similar to those of their stone counterparts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Chola period (9th–13th centuries) is widely recognized as the pinnacle of South Indian metal sculpture, characterized by exceptional aesthetic and technical finesse [2]. Artisans perfected the 'cire perdue' or lost-wax casting technique to create intricate, fluid bronze figures like the Nataraja, which represent the zenith of metal artistry [1]. Regarding iconography, Chola metal images were closely aligned with their stone counterparts found in temple architecture [2]. While bronzes were primarily created as 'utsava murtis' for processions and stone sculptures served as 'mula vigrahas' in sanctums, both followed the same religious canons, stylistic proportions, and iconographic themes, such as the Tripurantaka and Nataraja forms [2]. This stylistic continuity ensured that the divine representations remained consistent across different media during the Chola era.

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > 2.4 Relations with the state > p. 146
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > Religion > p. 162