Votive ring with Nandī, liṅga, and Nāga, lost-wax bronze, India, 18th century - Talisman - Shaivite talisman

Votive ring with Nandī, liṅga, and Nāga – lost-wax bronze, South-Central India, 18th century

Small but very powerful Śaivite talisman, fused with lost wax wax in a copper-rich alloy and worn from long devotional handling: at the center of the setting, Nandī, the sacred bull and Śiva's vāhana, stands out, rendered reclining and adorned with garlands; on the right side, an aniconic liṅga rises, on the left, a protective Nāga coils around, while at the base, small reliefs can be interpreted as ritual offerings. The straightforward, almost plastic modeling, and the dark patina with tiny green concretions and shiny wear on the protrusions tell of a life dedicated to rituals: a 'ring-offering,' probably worn as a good luck charm or placed in a rural sanctuary.
Iconography is entirely linked to Śivaism: Nandi presides over the liṅga and mediates the devotee's devotion, while the Nāga seals the apotropaic dimension and the cosmic fertility of the cult. The archaic style and wear suggest a popular production from the Deccan/Mid-India region (Karnataka–Maharashtra area, with possible links to the Vīraśaiva/lingāyat communities), dating back to the 18th century.
Condition consistent with use, with slight abrasions and oxidations; typological quality and rarity remain fully legible.
7.8 cm with base