Title
Bull
Year/Period
Chola period (10th-11th centuries)
Region
Tamil Nadu, South India
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: H49.5 x W29 x D65 cm
Accession No.
2007-00060
Collection of
Credit Line
Collection of the Asian Civilisations Museum
This sculpture of the bull (nandi) captures fully the meaning of its subject as Nandi means "giving delight". The couchant figure, seated on all fours, is depcited as a young zebu bull with undeveloped horns. The round eyes are open wide and full of lively expression, as its gaze would have been directed towards the Shiva shrine. The garland of flowers, string of bells, saddlecloth, and leg ornaments are beautifully carved.Nandi is usually carved fully in the round and would have originally been placed in front of the entrance to a Shiva temple, facing the shrine.
