Figure
Item number Ef148 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Lightly burnished naturalistic rendering of a bull. The underside is open fretwork design exposing dark clay of original form. The legs are slightly irregular with no hooves and are solid cast. a long slender tail is supported by brass wire that appears to have been added after casting. The bull is wearing a choker of twisted brass coils and tiny pressed balls that ends in bell under throat. Trefoil designs are located all over back and blanket type decoration from end of hump to tail.
History Of Use
These brass ritual objects are handmade in cire perdue (lost wax) method by low caste Hindu brass casters. They are intended for other low caste Hindu groups such as potters and agriculturalists as well as non-Hindu tribes who do not work in brass. Although the classic Sanskritic-based tradition, stipulated in the 'Silpa Sastras', requires that images worshipped in temples be solid cast, this does not apply to folk traditions where casting predominates.
Narrative
Made by Kaser (Ghadwa) caste.
Cultural Context
communal worship
Iconographic Meaning
Bull is vehicle of gods and is offered during worship for gods to ride on.
Item History
- Made in Madhya Pradesh, India before 1974
- Collected during 1974
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before December 2, 1977
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller) on December 2, 1977
What
- Name
- Figure
- Identification Number
- Ef148
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- brass metal and clay
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast, chiseled and polished
- Overall
- height 5.8 cm, width 12.4 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Madhya Pradesh, India
Who
- Culture
- Indian: Northern Indian and Indian: Central Indian
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)
When
- Creation Date
- before 1974
- Collection Date
- during 1974
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 1977
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 105
- Accession Number
- 0411/0089
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