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21. Nandi Southern India 17th - 18th century Bronze Height: 10.5 cm (4 1/8 ins), Length: 12 cm (4 5/8 ins) |
Nandi is primarily the vehicle of Siva, and this recumbent figure would have been situated in front of a small Sivaite temple facing the garbhagrha (shrine room) containing Siva’s linga. The bull in India is treated as a figure of respect and enjoys a status unlike any other animal. |