Burmese Bronze Sacred Goose or Swan (Hamsa or Hintha)

This well-cast, solid, heavy bronze image of a hintha (hamsa) or sacred goose or swan is unusual in that it is of bronze. More typically, Burmese hintha images are made from wood and lacquer.

In India, the hintha is known as the hamsa. In Burma as in India, the sacred goose was associated with royalty.

The hintha is shown standing, with a fine beak and with extravagant tail feathers. It stands on a square bronze plaque.

Possibly, it was cast to adorn the grounds of a monastery.

The hintha is in excellent condition, and is mounted on a black, detachable wooden stand.