Featured Bronze (brass) sacred cow

Hello all,
This was bought in the 70's and I would like to know it's origin and any other information you may have. I assume it is from India..

Many thanks.

 

an honest assumption.....
poor thing had a hard life...

 

But still gorgeous. It is Nandi, the mount of Hindu God Shiva. Nandi is revered as sacred, and is the reason why cows are sacred to Hindus.
It was made in Karnataka, SW India, in the 19th century, maybe even a little earlier.

 

Oh wow.... how do you know where it was made ???? I forgot to mention that it is 13cm high and 11 cm long...

 

Is it bronze ?

 

cuz she is smart !!!

 

I'd say brass...

 

I recognized the style.

I have my moments. But moments is all they are.

 

Smart...........& humble !!
A fine combo !!!

 

Yes.. that's what I thought...

Absolutely....

 

Smart, humble, ... and a treasure herself ... Love Joy !!! ....

 

It can be difficult to compare Asian alloys with Western alloys, percentages and metals vary.
From the colour I think your Nandi was made from the so-called sacred metal, an alloy of seven metals. Which makes sense for a devotional object.
I have a list of those metals somewhere, I'll look them up tomorrow. I remember mercury is considered one of them, another one of those things that is perceived differently in Asian tradition.

 

Oh, Joy.

 

is it possible to be a newer reproduction with the same style?i am a new in hindus culture antiques,so i would like to ask you,thank you

 

It looks old but then again.....

 

@Belgaqueen , I forgot to mention it before, Nandi is a bull, not a cow. You just can't see it when he is in this position.

These are faked, but the patina and sheen are different. This one has the velvety, tactile look of genuine age-related wear. The fakes look very brassy and have very shiny 'wear'.
That velvety, tactile quality is what to look for. And feel, it feels like you want to hold it, like so many hands have done before.

It is difficult at first, but over time you get a feel and eye for it. Visiting museums and reputable galleries helps.

 

Thank you so much....I see you are from Brabant... are you in Belgium ?

 

No, the other one, just north of you. The administrative name is Noord (North) Brabant, but we Brabanders never use that. Come to think of it, the other Dutch don't either, it is only used for official paperwork, etc.
I put Brabant so as not to be confused with Holland. We are a bit sensitive about that.

You may have told us before, but where are you in Belgium?

 

thanks for the advice!