Indian Brass Pilgrimage Altar

A whole shrine on four stubby feet, small enough to travel in a pocket.

This pilgrimage altar comes from Maharashtra, India, and dates to the 16th – 17th century or earlier. It is brass. Small portable shrines like this were generally made for pilgrims and household worship, allowing devotion to travel with the devotee. Beneath an openwork arch topped with a pointed finial, small cast figures crowd a rectangular platform: a central figure flanked by two larger seated forms, with tiny attendants at the front. The platform edge is incised with vertical lines and stands on four short legs. The brass is worn smooth and pale gold. It is 2.5 inches high and 1.75 wide.

Devotion, packed for the road.