GUARDIAN DEITY ON HORSEBACK. Yellow bronze. India, Bastar, 19th/20th cent. HEIGHT 17 CM
A fantastic rendition of Khandoba – one of the deities known in the Bastar-region. This depiction usually shows his first spouse, Mhalsa, sitting behind him on the horse, most commonly four-armed and wearing a crown. Here, the warrior sits somewhat more humbly on the amusing long legged horse. The many decorative ribbons on the animal are either notched, nubby, torn or plaited and the mane is stylized in an entertaining fashion.
Bronzes from indigenous Bastar tribes were always cult-related, and crafted by specialized bronze-founders who travelled the land. The Baster region lies in the southernmost part of Madhya Pradesh, in Southeast- Central India.​​​ Old genuine bronze items from this region are becoming increasingly rare and hard to find in India, as it was customary for tribes to melt old bronzes together in order to craft new ones. The quite juvenile and childish appearance of this tribal authenticity presents a special appeal to us!