Gallery 331, Asian Art, third floor (Dutt Gallery)
Main Building
Gallery 331, Asian Art, third floor (Dutt Gallery)
Main Building
Each Hindu deity has a special animal whom they ride and who complements their identity. Shiva’s is the humpbacked Indian bull called Nandi, which means "joy." In Shiva temples, Nandi sits facing into the doorway to the sanctum so he can constantly worship and protect the god. Devotees indicate their approach to Shiva by ringing a bell over Nandi’s head.
Gallery 331, Asian Art, third floor (Dutt Gallery)
| Title: | Nandi, Sacred Bull of Shiva From the hall of a temple dedicated to Shiva |
| Date: | c. 1200-1250 |
| Artist: | Artist/maker unknown, Indian |
| Medium: | Schist |
| Dimensions: | 32 7/8 × 31 3/4 × 15 9/16 inches (83.5 × 80.6 × 39.5 cm) Weight: 660 lb. (299.37 kg) |
| Classification: | Sculpture |
| Credit Line: | Purchased with the Joseph E. Temple Fund, 1966 |
| Accession Number: | 1966-123-1 |
| Geography: | Made in Mysore, Karnataka, India, Asia |
| Context: | Dynasty: Hoysala Dynasty (c. 900-c. 1400) Period: Medieval Period (c. 600 - c. 1300) |
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Gallery 331, Asian Art, third floor (Dutt Gallery)
Main Building