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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 marble, the artist has rendered the
bull's anatomy with bold and powerful lines,
coupled with a spiritual aura that conveys
Nandi's divine status. We do not doubt for a
moment that we are in the presence of a sacred
creature rather than an earthly one. The bull is
seated in a recumbent pose with his front right
leg extended and his head slightly raised. A wide
collar runs around the neck and the details of
eyes, tail and hooves are picked out in black
pigment. Traces of red and gold, particularly on
the base suggest that the sculpture was once
extensively polychromed. The scale of the
carving indicates that it was used for private
devotion, perhaps in a household shrine. This is
an exceptionally early piece of great beauty and
character. (AM)
- (PF.1378)
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