Indian Lost-Wax Bronze Attendant with Sunflower Offering

An incredibly intricate, pocket-scaled devotional treasure featuring an extended offering palm, a beautifully incised floral stem, and a rich, multi-toned olive-gold patina. Hand-cast via the ancient lost-wax technique, this diminutive masterpiece breaks away from typical poses by incorporating an incredibly rare botanical element. The miniature sculpture portrays a celestial attendant or graceful Apsara holding her left arm downward to cradle a beautifully cast, blooming sunflower on a long stem, while her right arm extends forward with a cupped, open palm held ready to present a ritual offering. Though standing a modest 5.5 inches tall, the figure boasts exceptional garment detailing, including a finely incised, cross-hatched patterned lower wrap (dhoti), a beaded belt sash, and stacked wrist bangles that give the metal immense graphic depth. Her face carries a soft, knowing smile framed by heavy lidded eyes and traditional coiled earlobes, with her hair neatly gathered into a low-profile crown bun. The entire statuette rests upon an integrated, beautifully flared lotus-petal dome base incised with delicate vertical linework. Over decades of devotional handling, the heavy brass…