Kerala (South India)
Brass and bell metal
A richly patinated ritual bell with a seated Nandi finial. Bells play an essential role in any puja (worship), particularly during the offering of aarati, which involves waving a camphor or oil lamp before the deity to ward off evil. The worshipper rings the bell with their right hand while holding the lamp in their left hand.
Nandi or Nandin means rejoicing or gladdening. It is the name of Shiva’s conveyance (vahana), the white bull, son of Kashyapa and of Surabhi. Nandii was probably a folk deity later incorporated into the Brahmanic lore. Nandi symbolises, on the one hand, moral and religious duty (dharma), and on the other, virility, fertility, and strength. Apart from being Shiva’s vehicle, Nandi, in his form as Nandikeshvara, depicted as a human with a bull’s head, is believed to be one of the great masters of music and dancing. In southern India, his recumbent image is placed either opposite the main sanctuary or in the hall leading to it, facing the linga.
Size (cms): 23(H) x 11.5(W) x 11.5(D)
Size (inches): 9(H) x 4.5(W) x 4.5(D)
