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Bhuta idol
Karnataka, south India
19th century
height: 12.9cm
This exceptional and rare 19th century bronze is a bhuta idol. The image holds a sword in the right hand and a traditional bell in the left. The details are
wonderful: a typical headdress, the mask-like face, the heavy and ornate earrings, a heavy necklace, double bracelets and the dhoti belted around the waist.
Belief in bhutas dates from pre-Vedic times. Generally Bhutas are malevolent spirits, particularly the spirits of evil men who have died from execution, accident
or suicide. If people suspect that bhutas are about, they protect themselves by lying on the ground, because the bhutas never rest on earth. Krishna, in the
Bhagavad Gita, declares that humans who worship bhutas become bhutas themselves. This hasn’t stopped the practice in Karnataka and northern Kerala
where bhuta worship is commonplace in rural areas.
Offerings are made regularly to bhutas to insure protection against bad harvests, and human and animal diseases, including fatal childhood illnesses. They
are thought to roam about villages and country-sides (a bit like ghosts or goblins) and to harass those who neglect to propitiate them.
Most villages have small shrines with wooden Bhuta idols inside or numbers of idols heaped together under a tree or makeshift shelter.
Bhuta rituals are impressive ceremonies and elaborate dance performances take place at auspicious times in Karnataka and in Kerala.
The image has a smooth, golden patina.
Inventory no.: 166
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Bhuta idol
Karnataka, south India
19th century
height: 12.9cm
This exceptional and rare 19th century bronze is a bhuta idol. The image holds a sword in the right hand and a traditional bell in the left. The details are
wonderful: a typical headdress, the mask-like face, the heavy and ornate earrings, a heavy necklace, double bracelets and the dhoti belted around the waist.
Belief in bhutas dates from pre-Vedic times. Generally Bhutas are malevolent spirits, particularly the spirits of evil men who have died from execution, accident
or suicide. If people suspect that bhutas are about, they protect themselves by lying on the ground, because the bhutas never rest on earth. Krishna, in the
Bhagavad Gita, declares that humans who worship bhutas become bhutas themselves. This hasn’t stopped the practice in Karnataka and northern Kerala
where bhuta worship is commonplace in rural areas.
Offerings are made regularly to bhutas to insure protection against bad harvests, and human and animal diseases, including fatal childhood illnesses. They
are thought to roam about villages and country-sides (a bit like ghosts or goblins) and to harass those who neglect to propitiate them.
Most villages have small shrines with wooden Bhuta idols inside or numbers of idols heaped together under a tree or makeshift shelter.
Bhuta rituals are impressive ceremonies and elaborate dance performances take place at auspicious times in Karnataka and in Kerala.
The image has a smooth, golden patina.
Inventory no.: 166
This Item is available - Ask about this item
