Figure Item Number: Ef146 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Naturalistic brass representation of a deer in slender, delicate style. Small brass flat balls encased by 2 narrow strips of brass wire on each side to form entire open brass work surface on deer's back. Underside composed of crisscrossing brass wires forming open fretwork design. Legs and very thin antlers are solid. Face is humourously depicted with bulging eyes, deep nostrils and an open mouth.
History Of Use
These brass ritual objects are handmade in cire perdue (lost wax) method by low caste Hindu brass casters. They are intended for other low caste Hindu groups such as potters and agriculturalists as well as non-Hindu tribes who do not work in brass. Although the classic Sanskritic based tradition, stipulated in the 'Silpa Sastras', requires that images worshipped in temples be solid cast, this does not apply to folk traditions where casting predominates.
Cultural Context
communal worship
Narrative
Made by Kaser (Ghadwa) caste.
Item History
- Made in Madhya Pradesh, India before 1974
- Collected during 1974
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before December 2, 1977
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller) on December 2, 1977
What
Who
- Culture
- Indian: Northern Indian and Indian: Central Indian
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Madhya Pradesh, India
When
- Creation Date
- before 1974
- Collection Date
- during 1974
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 1977
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 105
- Accession Number
- 0411/0090