Saint Appar Copper alloy South India, Chola/Vijayanagar Period

The saint standing on a double-lotus base clad in a short dhoti, ornamented with bands of rudraksha beads around his head, neck and arms, his face suffused with devotion, his hands folded in humble supplication before his lord Shiva.

Sotheby's New York, September 19, 1996, lot 150

Very good overall condition. Minor accretion throughout.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Appar was an erstwhile Jain monk who later became a devout Shaiva. He is always depicted in this pose of adoration, holding a hoe in the crook of his arm. His identifying attributes are the rudraksha beads worn around his shaved head as well as the hoe with which he performed menial chores around the temple. The hoe, missing in the present image was cast along with the figure in early bronzes, see V. Dehejia et al., The Sensuous and the Sacred Chola Bronzes from South India, New York, Seattle & London, 2002, cat. 29. pp. 156-7. However in later times it was cast separately and inserted into the crook of the saint's arm.