Khandoba

This is a beautiful, brass, lost wax cast image of Khandoba from Maharashtra. These were sometimes used as a mukhalinga (a covering or mask used to give a face or iconic form to the abstract Shiva lingam) and sometimes worshipped themselves. There are holes in both ears so the figure could be dressed with jewels. Around his neck is a cast necklace with a pendant in the form of a tiger’s claw.
Khandoba is a deity worshiped as a manifestation of Shiva mainly in the Deccan plateau of India, especially in the states of Maharashtra and North Karnataka. The name "Khandoba" comes from the words "khadga" (sword), the weapon used by Khandoba to kill the demons, and "ba" (father). "Khanderaya" means "king Khandoba". Another variant is "Khanderao", where the suffix "rao" (king) is used.
The ancient art of lost-wax casting dates back nearly 6000 years in India, and the oldest example in the world is from the Indus Valley Civilization. First, an artist creates an original model from wax. Everything is then encased with layers of clay, thus becoming a mould for the molten metal that will be poured inside it. When this is poured in, the wax melts and the original is lost. Once the metal hardens, the outer layer of clay is smashed, which is what makes each piece unique.