Surya Driving Across the Sky in 7 Horse Chariot 13.5"

Surya is seated high upon his horse drawn chariot. Behind him is an oversized gleaming halo, shaped like the flames of the sun.  His front two hands are in the abhaya mudra showing his devotees that they have nothing to fear from Surya.  His other two hands hold 2 lotus flowers.  His small driver is seated in front of Surya above the single wheel of the chariot.  The chariot driver's hands are held up as if holding the reigns of the seven horses he has in his care.  The seven horses are all raised up on their hind legs as if they are galloping on the wind across the sky.  The entire piece is made up of many smaller pieces each cast separately.  The base is the foundation of the piece which includes Surya and the halo.  The driver sits upon the base.  Each one of the seven horses slides into their position on the base.

About The Hindu God Surya:  Surya is the main solar deity in Hinduism, one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa. He has hair and arms of gold. Surya drives through the heaven in his triumphal chariot harnessed by seven horses.  Each horse represent one of the seven chakras. In Hindu religious literature, Surya is notably mentioned as the visible form of God that one can see every day. Furthermore, Shaivites and Vaishnavas often regard Surya as an aspect of Shiva and Vishnu, respectively. For example, the sun is called Surya Narayana by Vaishnavas. In Shaivite theology, Surya is said to be one of eight forms of Shiva, named the Astamurti.

About the Golden Polish:  This bronze sculpture has been polished after casting giving it a golden shine.  Polished bronze pieces are often used in temples.  Temples prefer the polished bronze icons because the rituals involved in puja often involve bathing the bronze deity, which naturally removes the bronze patina of an older piece.  Over time and with no periodic care the golden polish will naturally dull to form a dark patina that is naturally found on aged bronze.