One of the things I get asked is the books that I use or recommend.  Tried to find the intersection of reasonable price, authenticity, simplicity,  availability, rich in visual aids and breadth of …

Source: References

This is called Sinhamu in Nepal. Essentially they are powder/paste containers used in worship and/or rituals. The book  Artistic heritage of Nepal, by the Handicraft Association of Nepal, mentions …

Source: Altar containers (Nepal)

One of the simplest bronzes in my collection. A circular metal surface supported by a multi-leveled patterned cylindrical base. This is altar mirror from Nepal. This is referred to as Jwalanhayakan…

Source: Nepal altar mirror

This is Mahishasuramardhini, the slayer (Mardhini) of the demon (asura) Mahisha, who has taken the form of a buffalo.  Mardhini for short. You can see Mahisha being pulled out of the buffalo’…

Source: Mahishasuramardhini

This is an oil and wick lamp used in temple processions. The portion shown above is normally mounted on a long pole and carried in temple processions with the lamps lit. Boat lamp is the modern nam…

Source: Kerala Boat Lamp

This folk bronze is identified as Karuppuswamy, a village guardian deity from Tamil Nadu, in South India. Karuppuswamy in Tamil means ‘black god’. The identification is based on similar…

Source: Karuppuswamy

This is Visvakesana, a Vaishnavite figure. He is Vishnu’s army chief, keeper of Vishnu’s treasury, an obstacle remover and the guardian of gates to Vishnu’s abode, Vaikuntha. As a…

Source: Visvakesana

Dhanvantri is the patron god of Indian Medicine. There are two versions of events leading to his birth as a Prince to the King of Varanasi. As per one, Dhanvantri came out of the churning of the oc…

Source: Dhanvantri