This basalt carving depicts a recumbent bull and may have been placed at the entrance to one of Shiva’s temples. The legs are all folded beneath the body and the animal has a wonderfully benign and peaceful expression. The ears are long but the horns are barely out. This is in accordance with Nandi iconography which refers to him as a calf. The tail is folded back against the body and the whole figure rests on an oval plinth with a lightly incised lotus leaf design. The animal is heavily adorned with a quadrangular jewel-encrusted rug across its back, a string of heavy bells around the neck and circular beads strung around its emerging horns. This is an exceptional opportunity for all serious collectors of Hindu art. (AM) - (X.0591)