kodda (Figure)

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.

communal worship

Horse is believed to be the vehicle of royalty and gods. Although this idea probably came from Vedic Arayan, it is now a tradition of many South Asians, including tribal peoples.

Light coloured naturalistic brass representation of a horse. Hard black material of interior core is visible in 4 places on underside. Bridle made of crosshatched narrow raised brass strips. Repeated half chevron design on neck. On back is low relief outline of saddle. Arched tail has linear pattern impressed into it.