This is Muthappan, Siva as toddy tapper. A folk deity from Northern Kerala. The attributes identifying this bronze as a form of Siva, include third eye, cobra hood in the belt and sarpakundala (ear…
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Lakshmi Narayana (Folk)
This is Vishnu standing next to Lakshmi. Vishnu is holding conch, lotus, mace and discuss/wheel, starting from lower right hand clockwise. Lotus and mace have long stem/handle. Conch and discuss ar…
Source: Lakshmi Narayana (Folk)
Panjurli
“Panjurli is one of the most powerful spirits worshipped in the Bhuta region. Being a spirit of totemistic origin, Panjurli got rooted in this region of agricultural and forest land and is wo…
Source: Panjurli
Pala Vishnu and consorts (Standing)
The above is a typical representation of Vishnu and his consorts in Bengal (including current Bangladesh) and Bihar areas during the Pala regime. Pala kingdom reigned that region between tenth and …
Bhairava (Kala)
This miniature bronze, just about 6.5 cm, may have served as personal icon in a home altar. He is holding sword, trishul, drum (Khadga) and cup (may be skull), starting lower right hand in the clo…
Source: Bhairava (Kala)
Vishnu and Consorts (GJ)
This is a classic representation of Vishnu with his consorts Sri devi and Bhu devi. Vishnu is identified by his attributes discuss/wheel (Chakra) and conch/Shell (Shankha). Sri devi, on VishnuR…
Source: Vishnu and Consorts (GJ)
Harihara
This is Harihara, syncretic form of Vishnu (Hari) and Siva (Hara). In some literature the reference is to Sankaranarayana (Shankar: Siva and Narayana: Vishnu). The concept of syncretic deities is a…
Source: Harihara
Bird’s eye view
Sharing my passion for Indian Bronzes
Source: Bird’s eye view
Crawling Krishna
This bronze is infant Krishna, holding a ball of butter, crawling to escape his foster mother Yasodha. This theme is very popular throughout India and most of the bronzes of this type are small as…
Source: Crawling Krishna
Dancing Krishna
One more dancing Krishna and at 15 cms it is much larger than the one blogged earlier. Very chubby and very heavy. But less detailed than the smaller one and there is significant ritual wear. Kris…
Source: Dancing Krishna
Rama Lakshman and Sita
This set of folk bronzes is from Bengal. The painting of eyes is typical of folk art in that part of India. One of well known painters, Jamini Roy, was inspired by this folk style. These three bron…
Source: Rama Lakshman and Sita
Rama Sita (Andhra)
This bronze is Rama with his consort Sita. His right hand is abhaya mudra (protection). Rama’s forehead shows vertical religious mark, specific to Vaishnavites. As Rama is an incarnation of V…
Source: Rama Sita (Andhra)
Hakku Patra
Hakku Patra is a title deed document, giving rights to an individual or a group of individuals. The rights may be to land or use of land or rights to provide service or perform activities. Hakku Pa…
Source: Hakku Patra
Sambandar (?)
This was sold as Sambandar, a Saivite saint. The story: Sambandar as a child of three years was left unattended by his father as he went to take bath in a temple tank. Feeling hungry Sambandar star…
Source: Sambandar (?)
Surya Lamp (Nepal)
This is a Nepali lamp with Surya. It showcases Newari craft at its best. Surya is identified by the lotus he holds in each hand, chariot driven by seven horses and Usha and Pratusha on the sides wi…
Source: Surya Lamp (Nepal)
Bronzes of India - A personal collection 