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Nandi the bull-calf is the mount or vehicle of
Lord Shiva. As Shiva’s most devoted disciple, his
image is often placed directly opposite Shiva’s
shrine in Hindu temples. Regularly honoured by
worshippers with offerings of flowers and
incense, sculptures of Nandi are often touched in
the hope that devotees will be able to imitate the
strength of his devotion to Shiva. It is not known
when these two deities first came to be
associated but there is a long history of devotion
to bulls in Asia. The early civilisation of the Indus
Valley in particular (c. 3000-2000 BC) clearly
held the bull in high veneration- producing
images in stone and terracotta. In Sanskrit Nandi
means ‘joyfulness’ or ‘He who gives joy.’ This
refers to the emotions experienced by the
devotee in the presence of Shiva.
Carved from the volcanic rock basalt, this
magnificent sculpture is full of character. The
bull is depicted in a recumbent pose, with his
legs tucked beneath the body. Seated on an
ornately carved lotus pedestal, the bull has his
head twisted back, looking over his shoulder. It
is possible that this sculpture was positioned in
the gateway of a temple dedicated to Shiva and
that Nandi’s gaze directed the worshippers to
the main shrine. The expression is friendly and
the mouth is slightly parted with the hint of a
smile. A wide string of bells/beads is hung
around the neck, carved in high relief. A lightly
incised rectangular cloth is draped across the
back with what appears to be an open lotus
flower above. The relaxed pose is reinforced by
the playful way in which the tail is draped over
the back. This is a charming and well-executed
piece that will appeal to all serious collectors of
Asian art. (AM)
- (X.0587)
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