Life Size 19th Century India Nadi Bull Vahana Hindu Temple Architectural Statue

Description

A monumental and important religious antique Hindu temple gate-guardian architectural ornament. Born in India in the 19th century, hand carved … more A monumental and important religious antique Hindu temple gate-guardian architectural ornament. Born in India in the 19th century, hand carved and painted, finely detailed, rich polychrome decorated, the large wooden statue / sculpture depicting Nandi, the sacred bull in Hinduism mythology, gatekeeper, and vahana, identified as the god’s vehicle (Lord Shiva's seat mount) and symbol since the Kushan dynasty (c. 1st century CE).

Provenance:
Acquired from The Neiman Marcus Corporate Art Collection. Details below.

Dimensions: (approx)
49.5" x 43" x 12"

An important religious folk art work, the Nandi is of hand-carved wood and gessoed cloth, then hand-painted. This rare temple carving of a zoomorphic deity figure features ornate, fine detailing throughout, elaborately decorated, having conical horns over leather ears, mouth ajar, adorned in traditional Indian harness, saddle blanket with rich religious ornamentation in high relief, presenting with central column pillar salvaged temple element mount. Whimsical, highly decorative, and similarly styled to a rustic stag deer, steer cow calf, carousel horse, or other large exotic menagerie animal., this exceptional example makes for a spectacular display piece!

In Hindu religion, Nandi is the mythical mount of Shiva. The four legs represent truth, righteousness, peace and love.

More than a means of conveyance, Nandi is considered Shivas constant companion on all his travels, so much so that in any temple dedicated to Shiva, there is a Nandi figure. This symbol is a deity in its own right, and in India there are temples dedicated exclusively to Nandi.

In Hindu symbolism, the bull represents both strength and ignorance. The white or light color of the bull symbolizes purity and justice. Symbolically, the seated Nandi towards sanctum in Shiva temples, represents an individual jiva (soul) and the message that the jiva should always be focused on the Parameshwara. From the yogic perspective, Nandi is the mind dedicated to Shiva, the absolute. In other words, to understand and absorb light, the experience, and the wisdom is Nandi, which is the guru within. The fact that Shiva uses it as a mount symbolizes how this divine figure removes ignorance while instilling strength and wisdom.

Condition:
A superb example, the life size work is in great overall shape, and presents wonderfully, having beautifully aged patina over the whole, highly desirable original, worn, rustic, naturally distressed, chippy paint, craquelure finish, that's stable, and enhances the artistic antique character and rich historic depth.

Detailed Condition Report:
Loss to one ear, age related checking and separation to carvings, fabric to hind quarters is released and tattered with minor loss, rubbing to paint throughout with wear indicative of age and use; later grey painted mounting blocks are attached to back and hooves.

Additional Provenance:
Property from the Neiman Marcus Collection. Acquired from Heritage Auction, Design District Gallery, Dallas, Texas.

From The Dallas Morning Newspaper; April 12th, 2021

Neiman Marcus is selling some of its history and valuables that have been displayed and stored for decades as part of the luxury retailer’s corporate art collection.

The Neiman Marcus corporate art collection dates back to 1951, when Stanley Marcus (1905-2002), a life long avid art collector, purchased Mariposa, a large mobile by Alexander Calder and started a long tradition of buying original artwork for new stores as they opened. The Mariposa sold at a Sotheby’s auction last month fetching $18.2 million. The items are being offered through Sotheby's auction house, NYC, New York and Heritage Auction, Dallas, Texas.

Many of the pieces were personally collected by Stanley Marcus from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Some of the pieces are from corporate spaces, stores and the company’s archives, among the items are important antique textiles, tribal robes and embroidery, all handmade items from China, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Oceana region of the Pacific.

The luxury retailer permanently closed several stores and vacated two large office spaces in downtown Dallas last year as part of its bankruptcy. Neiman Marcus, which operates 37 Neiman Marcus stores, Bergdorf Goodman in New York and five Last Call stores, has been shoring up its balance sheet.

“We have notable pieces that we want to transfer to other collectors so they can be preserved with care,” Neiman Marcus spokeswoman Amber Seikaly said. “These are things that deserve to be in peoples’ homes.”

For many years, the Neiman Marcus Collection had a dedicated curator and included a couple of thousand pieces.

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Over the years, Lynx Hollow Antiques has acquired a remarkable collection of decorative folk art with rich, interesting character and vast, historical depth. Offering collectible and educational decor in the form of wonderful, hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind works from around the world, including Mexican, Spanish Colonial, French, Italian, other European, Asian, African tribal and Aboriginal Oceanic peoples (the headhunter tribes); from rare antique to mid-century, fanciful animalistic statues to ceramic gothic Renaissance skulls, tribal warfare, architectural salvaged buildings elements to important religious relics, please be sure to search our other listings for the perfect long term investment decorative object.

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