The Konark temple – located in the small town of Konak, Puri district, state of Odisha, India – was conceived in the 13th Century as a huge and colossal stone chariot drawn by a team of seven horses depicted in the galloping mode. The horses were positioned in a way that the Sun God (Surya) himself drives this chariot. The Konark temple – on the coast by the Bay of Bengal – also marks the culmination of the temple building architecture in Orissa.
This handmade caparisoned / riderless horse was stamped from metal and handpainted. It represents one of the seven chariot horses (Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubha, Anushtubha, and Pankti). Not sure which one!
Circa 1980s. In pristine condition. 16″ tall x 13.5″ at widest point x 4″ deep. It is a stately, colorful and gorgeous one-of-a-kind sculpture.