This bronze 'mandorla' is known as 'parikara' or 'prabha' (aureole). It has a bronze seat back support with a small beaded flaming oval nimbus at the top of the repoussé cushion. It is an unusual piece in that, it is quite heavy and well cast as can be seen from the deep and overlapping layers of foliage.Parikara refers to the large mandorla which covers the entire body of a divine figure. It is the effulgence or rays of light emitted from their being. This convention applies to all Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina figures. The parikara are cast separately and are usually detachable. Often, new ones are added to old metal statues, including the lotus bases.
