Copper Cow-Shaped Thara Pathiram, South India, 18th-19th century

Copper Cow-Shaped Thara Pathiram (Lingam Dripping Vessel)

South India

18th-19th century

height: 8.8cm

This copper-alloy vessel known as a thara pathiram is in the form of a horned cow. It has a broad opening at one end, and is pierced at the other, at the end of the cow’s mouth/snout.

Such a vessel would have been suspended with the cow head pointing down over a lingam which is representative of Shiva. It would have been filled with milk or some other similar mixture which would then drip, drop by drop, from the cow’s mouth over the lingam.

Lingams are supposedly like fire and require regular cooling as an act of worship. The constant dripping from such a vessel is described as Abhisheka. Abhisheka is done for Lord Siva.

This thara pathiram has an excellent patina. The surface is smooth and soft from ritual use and has a honeyed colour. There is an old patch of solder on the neck of the cow. Probably this is a minor repair dating from the time the item was cast.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 3688

SOLD