This is an armband, Bhujbang, worn by ascetics to show their allegiance to a sect of Hinduism. The central figure is Surya, the Sun God. Below him is Arun, the charioteer, steering the seven horses. On the side, in the main panel, Usha and Pratusha are shooting arrows at the darkness. For additional information on Surya’s Iconography see my blog on Surya lamp.

Each side has two panels. The furthermost panels show Ganesha (on our left) and Hanuman (on our right). Unusual to see them depicted together, but such depictions are common in Gujarat.

The two inner panels show Varahi (?), Vishnu Pada, Vishnu on Garuda, Bhairav, Linga, and Durga as Mahishasuramardhini. Clockwise starting from our lower left. The figures are worn, and the identification is based on the forms.

The loops at the periphery are for threads. A quick look at the back shows this was cast in five parts and joined. The perforations on the main panel were made after casting.

The back is also smooth, suggesting the wear of the images in the front are due to actual usage.

A local dealer/friend contacted me last year (2024) with a similar bronze, asking for my help in its identification. First time I ever saw one like that. Within two months of that query, I came across this, more elaborate example. Interesting, is it not?

Now the question is why Surya is be surrounded by Varahi, Vishnu, Bhairava and Durga? If one of the figures were Ganesha, it would make sense, and it would be a Saura Panchayatna. It does not look like it.

Continued with the research for a couple of months. A search (Nepal Bronze) on the Victoria and Albert Museum website gave me two similar examples. One of them is shown on our right. The main deity is different, and so are some of the deities in the panels. By itself, it does not give any answer but opens up possibilities.

Researching this by itself is a story and it continues.

The armband is from Nepal. It is about 9.5 cm tall. It may be about 200-300 years old. The VAM examples are dated to the 18th century.