GJPaw Auctions is pleased to offer an antique brass Pilgrimage or Altar figure of Vishnu, from Maharashtra, India.The history of bronze metal casting in India goes back thousands of years and is shrouded in the mist of antiquity. Originally, miniature or small sculptures of Hindu deities came into existence to fulfill the religious and spiritual needs of castes in society, whether wealthy patrons or local villagers.Devotees believed that pilgrimage and altar statues operate for the benefit of the bearer, and based upon the deity depicted are best suited to resolve specific issues. Central to the creation and use of the statue is the idea that every god or goddess is believed to possess divine powers that upon request from a devotee they will dispense. Such statues are visual representations of the bearer’s commitment to the particular deity, who, pleased by such a show of faith, will be favorably disposed to comply with a request. Just as the deity’s power is eternal, so too is the power of the statue. Common solicitations included the fulfillment of a desire for children, immunity to illness, cures, prosperity, success in an enterprise, and the destruction of harmful circumstances.Most images were created using the lost wax casting process. In the towns and villages of India and Nepal "lost wax" has been practiced for many centuries. Of all deities appearing in miniature bronze form, Vishnu is one of the most popular andone of the three deities in the Hindu triad. This superb figure measures 2.0 inches in width by 1.25 inch in depth by 4.25 inches in height (5.08 cm by 3.17 cm by 10.7 cm). It dates to the 19th century, and shows wear commensurate with age. A fine and very rare collector’s piece for anyone interested in Shiva, Ganesh, Hinduism, Vedic mythology, or Far Eastern art and religion in general. It is guaranteed authentic.
GJPaw Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay.  Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the globe atPrimitive in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. AddGJPaw to Sellers you Follow and please take a moment to look at our other auction items.
A0309-595