The present sculpture is a monumental representation of the Lion vahana, or mount, of the goddess Durga. The lion here symbolizes valor, largely due to its association with the warrior goddess. Hindu gods have long been associated with their animal vahanas, likely since before the Common Era, with representations of both Shiva and Nandi and Durga and her lion appearing on Indo-Bactrian coins at the turn of the millennia.
In later periods of south Indian art, monumental timber figures of vahanas were commonly carved for temporary use, and recreated after a few short years, likely due to the nature of the wood requiring extensive preservation in the south Indian climate. The present figure mirrors the style and material of 19^th century south Indian painting from Tanjore, particularly the areas decorated with gesso and paint. Details of the lion’s mane, eyes and teeth recalls the stylization that is often seen on images of Narasimha or Kirthimukha.
A very similar monumental wood figure depicting Shiva’s mount Nandi is in the collection of the Asian Civilization Museum (acc. no. 1995-01825) and published by Dr. Subhasini Aryan in Kala Chintain: K.C. Aryan Commemoration Volume, New Delhi, 2008, p. 164. For a similar figure of Nandi, see the previous lot in this sale.