Bronze (?) figurines

bambino · Jan 10, 2013

View attachment figurines.pdf View attachment figurines back.pdf

Hi, this is my first post. I just inherited these two figurines that appear to be made of bronze, although I could be wrong. they are about 3 inches tall. There is no stamp or id of any kind on either of them. Can any one ID them? Culture? age? Thanks for your help!!

capt-zero · Jan 10, 2013

Hi. Welcome to treasure net. Your figures are truly interesting. I did a cursory search of 'african bronze figurines' and came up with several similar pieces coming mostly from the western part of Africa, around Benin. You might check it out. They do indeed look to be bronze and well may be quite old. Do you have any information from the family as to their history? It might help to narrow it down. A few better pictures might also help. I use a basic digital camera set on macro and get a little ways away from my subjects and then push the close up. This seems to work well for detailed photos.

yaxthri · Jan 11, 2013

These are Indian (as in India not native american) statuettes, probably copper or could be worn and cleaned bronze (can't tell that by a pic but these are traditionally made of bronze) and they probably depict (I'm pretty sure I'm correct...) the hindu god Shiva with a flute and his wife the godess Parvati (or Shakti) with a chank sea-shell trumpet.

Nice musical couple

nhbenz · Jan 11, 2013

Well done Yaxthri I agree that's undoubtedly who they are. I didn't recognize them without more of their traditional clothing. Here's a link with reproductions of some old designs (none a match, though), but solidifies the attribution:
S.SUNDARAVADIVEL AND COMPANY - BRONZE ANTIQUE IMITATION STATUES
But, I'm not seeing them as having a "cleaned" appearance, they look bronze to me

(but my monitor is not very good). At any rate, I think they look great as is, and shouldn't be cleaned (in the slim chance that it had crossed your mind).

capt-zero · Jan 11, 2013

yaxthri and nhbenz, I believe you guys nailed it. They had an african look to me but now after searching the Indian gods mentioned, I've changed my mind. They do appear to have some age to them, but impossible to tell from the photos supplied.