India, ca. 19th century CE. A cast brass statue depicting a cow nursing a calf, the cow being the most holy animal of the Hindu tradition, set upon an integral hollow base filled with small metal pieces to produce a pleasing jingling sound when moved. On the underside of the base are four notches to fit axles for the wheels of this holy toy. A playful work of Hindu art! Size: 2.75" L x 3.75" W x 2.75" H (7 cm x 9.5 cm x 7 cm)

The cow as mother and caretaker is a theme that makes paramount sense, as Hindus have traditionally relied on this bovine creature for its dairy products, as a source of labor to till the fields, as well as a source of cow dung used as an organic fertilizer. In the past, cattle were only possessed by the most fortunate and were a status symbol akin to gold. What's more, in Hindu mythology, Krishna, one of God's incarnations or Avatars, tended cows and calves. In addition, there are numerous reverences to the devout reverence to cows and bulls in the major texts of the Vedic liturgy.

Provenance: Ex-Paul & Louise Bernheimer collection, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA.

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#111938

Missing axles and wheels, but in overall excellent condition. Still makes musical jingling sounds.