Vintage Brass Gauri Head

This collectible is a vintage brass Gauri head sourced from Maharashtra. The Gauri has well defined features with beautiful almond shaped eyes, small lips painted in red, traditional Maharashtian hairdo, fine ornaments adorning the neck as well as the forehead. While the eyes and eyebrows of the Gauri have been retouched, there are remnants of the old paint that adds to the overall charm of the piece.

Use of Gauri Heads/Masks in Indian Tradition: Gauri (another name for Parvati) is the consort of Lord Shiva and the epitome of marital fidelity and devotion. Gauris are normally worshipped in pairs in Maharashtra/Karnataka during "Gauri Puja" which happens around the same time as the widely celebrated Ganesh Utsav. These Gauri heads/Masks are normally used over many years and passed on from one generation to another with the Gauris being adorned with fresh paint every year before the festivities of Gauri puja.