The present sculpture is a monumental representation of the bull Nandi, the vahana, or mount, of the god Shiva. Nandi is said to represent happiness and joy, as well as virility much like its associated deity. Hindu gods have long been associated with their animal vahanas, likely since before the Common Era, with representations of both Shiva and Nandi and Durga and her lion appearing on Indo-Bactrian coins at the turn of the millennia.
In later periods of south Indian art, monumental timber figures of vahanas were commonly carved for temporary use, and recreated after a few short years, likely due to the nature of the wood requiring extensive preservation in the south Indian climate. The present figure mirrors the style and material of 19^th century south Indian painting from Tanjore, particularly the fixing of gemstones and glass within gilt bands and other areas decorated with gesso and paint.
A very similar monumental wood figure of Nandi is in the collection of the Asian Civilization Museum (acc. no. 1995-01825) and published by Dr. Subhasini Aryan in Kala Chintain: K.C. Aryan Commemoration Volume, New Delhi, 2008, p. 164. For a related monumental figure of a lion vahana, see the following lot in this sale.