GODDESS WITH DAGGER. Yellow bronze. India, Bastar, 19th cent. HEIGHT 14,5 CM
The lanky and tall Bastar bronze radiates a content friendliness, stands on a slanted quadratic, conical openwork base. Particularly notable are the high oval-formed Prabhavali with jagged edges, but also the oversized Gaji (loincloth). Patina, traces of red sendur, no cast core.
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!