Antique Bronze/Brass Nandi, South India, (9510)

Description

Antique brass recumbent Nandi exquisitely handcrafted on a raised rectangular platform. Delicately incised with details delineating the head, neck, snout and body, his right leg and tail are sinuous, graceful ornaments rather than defining features. His head is at a 45-degree with lyrically curved horns in contrast to most versions with horns extending backwards. This Nandi is based on a South Indian cow whose humpback is emphasized here by two parallel lines covering it as if is part of a saddle or another ornament feature. Nandi is among the most frequent Hindu deities worshiped in public places, temples, homes, or on a home altar throughout India. Nandi is Shiva’s vahana, (his mount that transports him), attendant and leader of his attendants and guardian of all four-footed animals. A recumbent image of Nandi on a high pedestal throne with his face pointing to the main shrine usually guards the entrance to Shiva dedicated temples. Nandi is a votive deity (murti) to help devotees focus, especially during puja, and small metalwork images are often placed along with images of other deities on a home altar. Women often visit or pay homage Nandi images and offer flowers and prayers for fertility. Using the lost-wax technique, this refined brass figurine has a beautiful patina from its long use during daily Hindu puja.

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