**Originally Listed At $1000** South Asia, India, ca. 19th century CE. A lovely altarpiece depicting a cow standing with her calf, all cast from silver. The bovine creatures stand atop an integral ovoid plinth, the mother peering forward with almond-shaped eyes in front of backswept ears, and the calf with its head raised in a suckling manner towards the milk-providing udders. The lustrous surfaces provide an enticing presentation. Size: 2.5" H (6.4 cm) The cow as mother and caretaker is a theme that makes paramount sense, as Hindus have traditionally relied on this bovine creature for its dairy products, as a source of labor to till the fields, as well as a source of cow dung used as an organic fertilizer. In the past, cattle were only possessed by the most fortunate and were a status symbol akin to gold. What s more, in Hindu mythology, Krishna, one of God s incarnations or Avatars, tended cows and calves. In addition, there are numerous reverences to the devout reverence to cows and bulls in the major texts of the Vedic liturgy. Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Doris Wiener collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #173283品相报告: Minor abrasions and softening to some finer details, but otherwise in excellent condition with lustrous surfaces.