A brass figure of Nandi India, Himachal Pradesh, circa 16th century Cast reclining on a rectangular platform with one foreleg lifted and wearing beaded jewellery and a cowbell. H. 8 cm. Note: Nandi is the sacred bull calf, gatekeeper, and vahana of the Hindu god Shiva. Sculptures of Nandi are a common sight at Hindu temples dedicated to his master and he is partly responsible for the Hindu reverence for living bulls even today, especially in the state of Uttar Pradesh.