Lot 52C
South Asia, India, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A beautiful marble sculpture of Nandi, the vahana of the god Shiva, depicted seated on a rectangular plinth. Extending his right foot forward, the adorable deity is rendered naturalistically with almond-shaped eyes, curved horns, and lengthy, petaloid ears. His body is richly adorned with a heavy, beaded necklace, a dotted bridle, and cloth drapery featuring 2 lotus flowers. A prominent ritual icon in Hindu mythology, Nandi is also known as a gatekeeper of the temple of lord Shiva. In Sanskrit Nandi means a road blocker and is a prominent ritual icon in Hindu mythology and often positioned facing the main shrine. Size: 12" L x 4.9" W x 8.7" H (30.5 cm x 12.4 cm x 22.1 cm)
Nandi is the son of Kasyapa and Surabhi according to the Vayu Purana. His role as Shiva's gatekeeper is described in the Saura Purana Nandi as, 'adorned with all ornaments, glowing like a thousand suns, holding a trident in his hand, three-eyed, adorned with a sliver of the moon, a thunderbolt in his hand, four-armed, like a second Sankara [Shiva].' It is common to see a statue of Nandi as a bull upon a plinth, similar to this example, before most Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva. Nandi traditionally sits in a columned pavilion called a nandi mandapa - positioned so that he may gaze at Shiva's linga within the main temple. It is popular practice for worshippers to dress the statue of Nandi with bells, clappers, as well as a necklace of flowers.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Connecticut, USA estate, acquired before 2000
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#172648
- Condition: Loss to tip of left horn. Plinth expertly repaired with restoration. Expected surface wear with nicks, abrasions, and softening of detail in some small areas. Otherwise, very nice. Modern cork pads on base for protection.
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