Tamil Nadu
polychromed terracotta
A decorative Lion vahana with lovely patina and extensive polychroming. The lion is depicted mid-stride walking within tall foliage. Terracotta toys were used as ritual display in temples during important festivals such as Holi, Shivaratri and Durga Puja.
The Lion is the vehicle of, and sacred to the Hindu goddess, Durga. From a certain perspective she is India’s Mother Nature, for she is the deification of Energy. Her consort, Shiva, sometimes evoked as Shambo, wears a tiger skin to indicate that he is beyond the bounds of the natural world.
Size (cms): 11.5(H) x 12(W) x 5.5(D)
Size (inches): 4.5(H) x 4.5(W) x 2(D)
