Adam's The Irish Library Wednesday 17th April 2019

71 www.adams.ie The Irish Library| 17th April 2019 95 AN INDIAN BLACK STONE MODEL OF A NANDI, (THE BULL) PROBABLY PALA PERIOD 12TH CENTURY, IN RECUMBENT POSITION, , with right foot forward and wearing a jewelled necklace, bell collar and saddle blanket, resting on a rectangu- lar plinth, 26 cm wide *Nandi, meaning “joyfulness” in Sanskrit, is the name of the bull and vehicle of the Hindu god Shiva - the god of strength and destruction. Sculptures of Nandi are typically displayed sitting on a plinth guarding temples dedicated to the Hindu deity, and positioned to face the sanctuary which houses the main representation of Shiva. (DFK RI WKH PDMRU +LQGX GHLWLHV DUH DVVRFLDWHG ZLWK D ELUG RU DQLPDO YHKLFOH YDKDQD ZLWK TXDOLWLHV VSHFLȴF WR D divinity’s image & functions. The bull can be seen as a symbol of fertility and strength. 7KH VLJQLȴFDQFH RI ERYLQHV LQ ΖQGLDQ FXOWXUH KDYH HQWLWOHG WKHP WR VDFUHG VWDWXV LQ +LQGX VRFLHW\ DQG WKXV became a favourite animal subject for Indian sculptors and miniature painters. € 2,000 - 3,000