Lot 338: A SOUTHERN INDIAN OR DECCAN BRONZE VOTIVE FIGURE OF NANDI, 18TH/19TH CENTURY.
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A cast copper alloy (bronze) votive figure of Nandi, the sacred bull and vahana (mount) of the Hindu deity Shiva. The figure is naturalistically rendered in a traditional couchant position atop a tiered, rectangular plinth. Nandi is depicted with characteristic features including a prominent hump, alert ears, and truncated horns. The bull is adorned for ceremony with a heavy collar featuring a row of large bells and a decorative saddlecloth draped across the back.
H: Approximately 8cm
Condition report:
The figure exhibits signs of significant age and prolonged ritual use. There is extensive smoothing and wear to the high-relief details, particularly on the head, horns, and the collar bells, consistent with frequent handling or ceremonial bathing (abhisheka). The metal surface possesses a deep, variegated chocolate-brown to black patina, with areas of lighter metallic sheen emerging on the most worn points. Traces of encrusted red ritual pigment (likely kumkum or vermilion) are present around the lower edge of the base. The casting is structurally sound with no visible cracks or repairs.
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