Indian Image of Khandoba & his Mahout on an Elephant

This solid cast bronze or brass group shows the deity Khandoba riding an elephant along with an elephant driver or mahout. The elephant has long, decorated tusks, and is pleasingly caparisoned and holds a ritual lustral water vessel in its trunk.

Khandoba is worshipped as a manifestation of Shiva, mostly in India’s Deccan plateau, particularly in Maharashtra state. The deity is worshipped by both Hindus and Jains.

The image here is a strong one. It sits solidly and being solid, is heavy for its size. There might be some more losses to attributes here and there, or these are original to the casting. The surface has a fine, honeyed patina.