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)
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 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
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 …
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)
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)
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
Sharing my passion for Indian Bronzes
Source: Bird’s eye view
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
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
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
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 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
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 (?)
One more Ganesha. A valampuri (with the trunk turned to the right). Ganesha is a remover of obstacles and the valampuri is considered a highly auspicious form of Ganesha. Ganesha is holding battle …
Source: Valampuri Ganesha
This is Mahishasuramardini (Killer of the demon Mahisha) shown with eighteen arms. She is known as Durga in Bengal and elsewhere in India she is considered as a form of Durga. She is standing with …
Source: Mahishasuramardhini (Deccan)