Antique Indian bronze TEMPLE TOY (Kutch style) - an exceptionally fine example of a galloping horse with rider & carriage (19th century)

            This Indian bronze with horse, rider and carriage is an exceptionally fine example of a Hindu "temple toy". Most temple toys were crudely cast and are of different forms such as an elephant, Nandi (bull) or a horse (with or without rider/carriage). The horse on this example proceeds at a gallop as its rider riases his whip and a local potentate sits cross-legged in his carriage while holding a ceremonial mace in his right hand. Maybe he is a Maharaja?

This item is of all-bronze construction and has an even all-over patina. All wheels are moveable and is adorned with very fine details in the Kutch style (north-west India). The axels are also of bronze, whereas most wheeled Temple Toys were made with iron axels. There is a small loop at the front to which a string could be tied to pull it along.

Temple Toys were made as votive offerings for Hindu temples and were retained in the temple so children could play with them while their parents attened to worship. Hence, the term "Temple Toys". All were intended to be pushed or pulled along on free-moving wheels.

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DESCRIPTION:
Size: 8" height x 7 1/4" length x 5" width (205mm x 185mm x 127mm).
Material(s): cast bronze. Axels, wheels and their retaining pins are also of bronze.
Finish: n/a, but has a lovely patina all over acquired with age.
Weight: about 1.65kg
Imprint: none, no maker's mark but style is similar to that seen with Kutch silver and other metalware.
Approximate age: late 19th century (1870's to early 1900's).
   

Taken on: April 25, 2024

Tags:

India

Hindu temples

bronze « less

Sets appears in: • Odds & ends

Groups appears in: • World of Bronze

Stats: 128 views

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