Two brass hamsa birds Deccan, 18th/ 19th Century (2)
Two brass hamsa birds
Deccan, 18th/ 19th Century
one on a stepped square base, one with removable rectangular base, each standing upright with tail erect and plumes of water streaming from their beaks, the bodies engraved and decorated with feathers, one with a makara to the base of the body
the larger 15.5 cm. high with stand(2)
Provenance
Private US collection.
The hamsa is a mythical aquatic bird, often associated with a goose or a swan, which represents perfect union and balance in life. 'Its name is derived from the exhalation of the Sanskrit sound 'ham' and the inhalation of 'sa', together constituting the return of the life force to brahman, its cosmic source.' (Oppi Untracht, Traditional Jewellery of India, London, 2008, p. 266).
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Two brass hamsa birds
Deccan, 18th/ 19th Century
one on a stepped square base, one with removable rectangular base, each standing upright with tail erect and plumes of water streaming from their beaks, the bodies engraved and decorated with feathers, one with a makara to the base of the body
the larger 15.5 cm. high with stand(2)
Provenance
Private US collection.
The hamsa is a mythical aquatic bird, often associated with a goose or a swan, which represents perfect union and balance in life. 'Its name is derived from the exhalation of the Sanskrit sound 'ham' and the inhalation of 'sa', together constituting the return of the life force to brahman, its cosmic source.' (Oppi Untracht, Traditional Jewellery of India, London, 2008, p. 266).
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Time, Location
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