Box with lion and elephant head with a figure standing in between - koperlegering/brons - India - late 19th - 20th century

interesting medium sized box - quite heavy - in copper-bronze - from a Hindu temple in de state of Andra Pradesh/India - in my private collection for more than 20 years - this piece dates back to the end of the 19th -20th century -
on the lid of this ornate box we see an elephant wearing a jewel studded collar, a lion with a necklace of big pearls, and in between these animals a human figure (with a bonnet and only one ear) who appears to try to keep them separated from each other -
historic background : in Hinduism and Jainism both the elephant and the lion are considered as holy animals - the first as the mount of the god Ganesh/Indra, the second of the goddess Durga - both are symbols of majesty, royalty, courage and strength - from the late 7th century onwards they are depicted in Hindu architecture and art as 2 godly powers fighting for superiority - in the 13th century the interpretation changes : there are many tempels where the mighty lion fights a group of smaller elephants; later the lion appears on his own as thé symbol of royalty - during the Deccan period (16/17th century) both animals re-appear but only as talismanic elements - the scene depicted on this incense burner must be seen as an illustration of this last evolution : god/men can intervene and prevent fights between the two holy animals -

condition : for a piece of this age this object is in quite good condition with a fine lustre; the only problem is a metal foot that broke away, got lost, and has been replaced by a wooden stand-in in order to bring the normal balance to the piece
dimensions : width 23 cm dept 15 cm height 23 cm weight : 2.300 kg