Nandi, the Bull Mount of Shiva

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Nandi, the Bull Mount of Shiva

India, Tamil Nadu, 11th century, with later recutting
Sculpture
Granite
25 x 19 x 12 in. (63.5 x 48.26 x 30.48 cm)
Gift of Norman I. Newman in appreciation of the ancient Indian artists (M.86.341)
South and Southeast Asian Art
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

Nandi is the Brahman bull (vrisha) mount (vahana) of the Hindu god Shiva. In temples dedicated to Shiva, he is displayed in his own shrine in line with and facing the main sanctum....
Nandi is the Brahman bull (vrisha) mount (vahana) of the Hindu god Shiva. In temples dedicated to Shiva, he is displayed in his own shrine in line with and facing the main sanctum. Originally, Nandi was zoo-anthropomorphic with the head of bull and four arms, and served as a door guardian (dvarapala) of Shiva’s abode on Mount Kailasha. Over time, Shiva’s bull mount came to be identified popularly as Nandi. Nandi is seated peacefully with his front legs tucked underneath him. He wears a bridle, two chains of bells around his neck, and a saddle cloth on his back. See also M.85.159.1, M.87.272.10, M.91.179.2, and AC1996.213.2.
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Bibliography

  • El Universo de la India: Obras Maestras del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Angeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, 2012.

  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture, vol.2. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1988.