Rajasthan Nandi the Bull Water Spout

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TimeLine Auctions London Mayfair Sale

By TimeLine Auctions Limited

Nov 23, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-11-23 05:00:00 2018-11-23 05:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : TimeLine Auctions London Mayfair Sale https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/timeline-auctions-limited/timeline-auctions-london-mayfair-sale-3572
Auction Venue: The May Fair Hotel London Stratton Street Mayfair London, W1J 8LT Viewing from noon Thursday 22nd Nov. 2018 Champagne Reception: 6pm - 9pm Friday 23rd Nov. 2018 (Day 1) 10am : Lots 1 - 660 TimeLine Auctions Limited enquiries@timelineauctions.com

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• Lot Description
  Jaipur, 17th-18th century AD. A carved marble spout comprising a U-section channel and terminal of a bovine head with ears extending along the sides, short horns above, bulbous muzzle with circular hole for the spout; mounted on a custom-made stand; possibly representing Nandi, divine vehicle of Shiva. 38 kg, 65cm (25 1/2"). From the Dean family collection, London, UK; acquired on the London art market 1970-1980s, supplied with geologic report No. TL004943, by geologic consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. The bull played a significant role in prehistoric South East Asian religion, as it is depicted on a wide range of objects from the Indus Valley, Pakistan, dated to the late third to early second millennium BC. The bull sacrifice was a symbolic force in Asia Minor and around the Mediterranean during this period. It was also worshipped as a sacred animal in early Buddhist art, in combination with the lion, elephant and horse, as a symbol of the four winds. There are also many links between cattle and the divinities; the bull calf, Nandi, is regarded as the divine vehicle of the Hindu god Shiva. Stone figures of a reclining Nandi are commonly displayed before the entrance of temples in devotion to Shiva. These sculptures are depicted as calf-like, with a small hump and horns, delicate features and a gentle expression. This magnificent marble figure of a bull is carved in reclining position, and presented frontally as a possible attachment to a larger sculpture. The face exhibits a sweet and graceful expression, with its mouth hollowed and carved as a wide circular terminal. The head is lowered, with its ears tucked under the small calf-like horns. The soft features and gentle expression suggests that this cow was as a symbol of worship, and was not the subject of a hunting scene. This sculpture is a remarkable example of its type and a testament to the craftsmanship of the artisans who flourished the region.

  Condition

  Fine condition.
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