murti (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.

Made by Kaser (Ghadwa) caste.

communal worship

Bull is vehicle of gods and is offered during worship for gods to ride on.

Lightly burnished naturalistic rendering of a bull. The underside is open fretwork design exposing dark clay of original form. The legs are slightly irregular with no hooves and are solid cast. a long slender tail is supported by brass wire that appears to have been added after casting. The bull is wearing a choker of twisted brass coils and tiny pressed balls that ends in bell under throat. Trefoil designs are located all over back and blanket type decoration from end of hump to tail.