Statue, 1kg! Taureau sacré Nandi - 19th c. - 11.5 cm - Bronze






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Bronze 19th‑century Indian statue of the sacred bull Nandi, titled “1kg! Taureau sacré Nandi - 19th c.”, weighing 1.08 kg with dimensions 11.5 × 11 × 4 cm, unsigned, in good condition, provenance Galerie/Antiquaire, sold without a stand.
Description from the seller
Ritual statue
Sacred Bull Nandi (Vahana of Shiva)
South India, 19th century
Weight: 1.08 kg
11.5 cm in height x 11 cm in width
Exceptional statue in solid lost-wax bronze representing the sacred bull Nandi, mount (vahana) and faithful servant of the god Shiva. The animal is depicted standing with its head slightly raised in a devotional waiting attitude. It is richly adorned with ritual ornaments of great finesse with a complete engraved bridle, an elaborately worked saddle cover with geometric motifs and beaded borders, as well as multiple rows of bell pendants chiselled around the neck. The forehead is adorned with the ritual macaron and the characteristic annulated horns.
Nandi embodies purity, restrained power, and absolute devotion (bhakti). Traditionally positioned facing the main shrine in Shiva temples or on domestic altars, it remains the vigilant guardian of the god.
Unlike the seated representations (seated resting) that are very common in temples, standing representations of Nandi are observed mainly in the South Indian tradition (notably Tamil Nadu and Karnataka), often intended for processional altars, secondary shrines, or private devotions of great distinction.
Condition: Full casting using the lost-wax process with remarkable density (1.08 kg for this scale), a testament to the mastery of copper alloy founders in 19th-century India. A very heavy object for its size.
Excellent warm golden patina with traces of dark oxidation in the recesses of the chiselling, highlighting the depth of the ornaments and harness elements. The base of the hooves shows natural and authentic wear.
Provenance: Kanaka The Collection, Portugal
Shipped with UPS and insured
Seller's Story
Ritual statue
Sacred Bull Nandi (Vahana of Shiva)
South India, 19th century
Weight: 1.08 kg
11.5 cm in height x 11 cm in width
Exceptional statue in solid lost-wax bronze representing the sacred bull Nandi, mount (vahana) and faithful servant of the god Shiva. The animal is depicted standing with its head slightly raised in a devotional waiting attitude. It is richly adorned with ritual ornaments of great finesse with a complete engraved bridle, an elaborately worked saddle cover with geometric motifs and beaded borders, as well as multiple rows of bell pendants chiselled around the neck. The forehead is adorned with the ritual macaron and the characteristic annulated horns.
Nandi embodies purity, restrained power, and absolute devotion (bhakti). Traditionally positioned facing the main shrine in Shiva temples or on domestic altars, it remains the vigilant guardian of the god.
Unlike the seated representations (seated resting) that are very common in temples, standing representations of Nandi are observed mainly in the South Indian tradition (notably Tamil Nadu and Karnataka), often intended for processional altars, secondary shrines, or private devotions of great distinction.
Condition: Full casting using the lost-wax process with remarkable density (1.08 kg for this scale), a testament to the mastery of copper alloy founders in 19th-century India. A very heavy object for its size.
Excellent warm golden patina with traces of dark oxidation in the recesses of the chiselling, highlighting the depth of the ornaments and harness elements. The base of the hooves shows natural and authentic wear.
Provenance: Kanaka The Collection, Portugal
Shipped with UPS and insured
