Nandi the bull-calf is the mount or vehicle of Lord Shiva. As Shiva’s most devoted disciple, his image is often placed directly opposite Shiva’s shrine in Hindu  More »

Nandi the bull-calf is the mount or vehicle of Lord Shiva. As Shiva’s most devoted disciple, his image is often placed directly opposite Shiva’s shrine in Hindu temples. Regularly honoured by worshippers with offerings of flowers and incense, sculptures of Nandi are often touched in the hope that devotees will be able to imitate the strength of his devotion to Shiva. It is not known when these two deities first came to be associated but there is a long history of devotion to bulls in Asia. The early civilisation of the Indus Valley in particular (c. 3000-2000 BC) clearly held the bull in high veneration- producing images in stone and terracotta. In Sanskrit Nandi means ‘joyfulness’ or ‘He who gives joy.’ This refers to the emotions experienced by the devotee in the presence of Shiva.Carved from the volcanic rock basalt, this magnificent sculpture is full of character. The bull is depicted in a recumbent pose, with his legs tucked beneath the body. Seated on an ornately carved lotus pedestal, the bull has his head twisted back, looking over his shoulder. It is possible that this sculpture was positioned in the gateway of a temple dedicated to Shiva and that Nandi’s gaze directed the worshippers to the main shrine. The expression is friendly and the mouth is slightly parted with the hint of a smile. A wide string of bells/beads is hung around the neck, carved in high relief. A lightly incised rectangular cloth is draped across the back with what appears to be an open lotus flower above. The relaxed pose is reinforced by the playful way in which the tail is draped over the back. This is a charming and well-executed piece that will appeal to all serious collectors of Asian art. (AM) - (X.0587)   « Less

Underglaze Painted Bowl - ADC.107, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 2.36 " (6.0cm) high x 9.84 " (25.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.

Underglaze Painted Bowl - ADC.107, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 2.36 " (6.0cm) high x 9.84 " (25.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Slip Painted Bowl - ADC.108, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.74 " (9.5cm) high x 9.13 " (23.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic  More »

Slip Painted Bowl - ADC.108, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.74 " (9.5cm) high x 9.13 " (23.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Slip Painted Calligraphic Bowl - ADC.109, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 2.80 " (7.1cm) high x 9.33 " (23.7cm) wide,  More »

Slip Painted Calligraphic Bowl - ADC.109, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 2.80 " (7.1cm) high x 9.33 " (23.7cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Nishapur, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Nandi the bull-calf is the mount or vehicle of Lord Shiva. As Shiva’s most devoted disciple, his image is often placed directly opposite Shiva’s shrine in Hindu  More »

Nandi the bull-calf is the mount or vehicle of Lord Shiva. As Shiva’s most devoted disciple, his image is often placed directly opposite Shiva’s shrine in Hindu temples. Regularly honoured by worshippers with offerings of flowers and incense, sculptures of Nandi are often touched in the hope that devotees will be able to imitate the strength of his devotion to Shiva. It is not known when these two deities first came to be associated but there is a long history of devotion to bulls in Asia. The early civilisation of the Indus Valley in particular (c. 3000-2000 BC) clearly held the bull in high veneration- producing images in stone and terracotta. In Sanskrit Nandi means ‘joyfulness’ or ‘He who gives joy.’ This refers to the emotions experienced by the devotee in the presence of Shiva.This basalt carving depicts a recumbent bull and may have been placed at the entrance to one of Shiva’s temples. The legs are all folded beneath the body and the animal has a wonderfully benign and peaceful expression. The ears are long but the horns are barely out. This is in accordance with Nandi iconography which refers to him as a calf. The tail is folded back against the body and the whole figure rests on an oval plinth with a lightly incised lotus leaf design. The animal is heavily adorned with a quadrangular jewel-encrusted rug across its back, a string of heavy bells around the neck and circular beads strung around its emerging horns. This is an exceptional opportunity for all serious collectors of Hindu art. (AM) - (X.0591)   « Less

Slip Painted Calligraphic Jug - ADC.110, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6.50 " (16.5cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Slip Painted Calligraphic Jug - ADC.110, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6.50 " (16.5cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Nishapur, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Slip Painted Jar - ADC.111, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 8.46" (21.5cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Nishapur,  More »

Slip Painted Jar - ADC.111, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 8.46" (21.5cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Nishapur, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Slip Painted Jar - ADC.112, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6.22" (15.8cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Nishapur,  More »

Slip Painted Jar - ADC.112, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 11 th Century AD, Dimensions: 6.22" (15.8cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Nishapur, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Origin: Indonesia Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Medium: Gold

Origin: Indonesia Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Medium: Gold   « Less

Origin: Indonesia Dimensions: 2.15" (5.5cm) high x 2.15" (5.5cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Medium: Gold Condition: Fine

Origin: Indonesia Dimensions: 2.15" (5.5cm) high x 2.15" (5.5cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Medium: Gold Condition: Fine   « Less