Vira Bhadra | Deity Plate

Description

This fantastic silver plate depicts the hindu deity Vira Bhadra or Veera Bhadra. It is used as both a household and moveable shrine by the Lingayat community of South India, mainly based in the states of Karnataka and Maharastra. An important figure from the story of Shiva, the image also shows Shiva’s first wife Sati as well as her father Daksha.

Unusually depicted with the cobra head above, this artwork was made using traditional repousse and carving techniques and would originally have been backed with a copper plate, often with some sort of handle so it could be taken around for religious ceremonies and festivals. A highly collectable item in India as well as abroad, this item has a lovely usage patina suggesting it to be at least 100-120 years old and that it has been a beloved part of a families spiritual tradition.

Although the plate has slight damage near the cobra head, consistent with its age and usage, it remains a robust piece with plenty more years of enjoyment to the collector.

Articles of this quality and character are becoming more and more difficult to find, and we are very happy to be able to present it for you here at Tribal Routes.

Height: 200mm
Width: 118mm
Weight: 129.7g