Antique Nammalvar bronze statue. India. From the 17.-18. Century.

Antique Nammalvar bronze statue. India. From the 17.-18. Century.

Nammalvar (approx. the 8.–9. century) is considered the most important of the 12 Alvar-saints in Tamil Nadu, South India.

He is renowned for his profound, mystical hymns dedicated to the god Vishnu. His most important work, Tiruvaymoli, is often called "the Tamil Veda". His poetry formed the spiritual foundation for the later Sri Vaishnavism-tradition, which philosophers such as Ramanuja and Vedanta Desika built upon He is shown almost always sitting in a meditative posture (padmasana or lotus posture) on a square or lotus-shaped base. His right hand is raised with the index and middle fingers touching. This is the gesture of instruction and wisdom, which symbolizes the soul's union with the divine.

Provenance: originates from the collection of a Danish nurse who from approx. 1947-60, was part of the UN's vaccination program, in Asia and Africa. In connection with this, she acquired this statue.

The wear on this type of ancient bronze figurines always stems from ritual rubbing. In Hindu tradition, this type of wear is called a "pujapatina". During the daily prayers and rituals (puja) As the face is the most prominent and sacred point, centuries of repeated contact and drying out wear away the sharp details. This leaves the metal soft, smooth, and rounded, which is now considered an important sign of authenticity among collectors.

The material is a bronze metal alloy.

Measurements: approx. 4x2x1,5 cm. Condition: see pictures.