A German Made Porcelain Figure Of The Hindu Deity  Lord Shiva As Beggar Bhikshatana. Inspired By Ravi Varma’S Paintings Of Hindu Deities Painted In Stylized Indian Naturalism, German Porcelain Makers Manufactured These Figures For The Indian Market At The Turn Of The Previous Century.These German Porcelain Figures Of Hindu Deities Are Valued And Rare Collectibles Today.'Towards The End Of The 19Th Century, Prints Of Ravi Varma’S Paintings Of Hindu Mythological Figures Became Very Popular Not Just In India But Also In Europe. They Were Copied With Rampant Copyright Infringement And Used For Advertisements, Calendars, Etc. While This Led To Losses For Ravi Varma’S Own Printing Business, It Made His Images Immensely Popular. German Porcelain Makers Created Figures Based On His Paintings- Shiva, Ganesha, Dattatreya, Vishwamitra-Menaka- For Export To The Indian Market. German Porcelain Figures Of The Early 20Th Century.Size Is 2" X 2" & 8" Tall.
Bhikshatana (Sanskrit: भिक्षाटन; Bhikṣāṭana; Literally, "Wandering About For Alms, Mendicancy"[1]) Or Bhikshatana-Murti (Bhikṣāṭanamūrti) Is An Aspect Of The Hindu God Shiva As The "Supreme Mendicant"[2] Or The "Supreme Beggar".[3] Bhikshtana Is Depicted As A Nude Four-Armed Man Adorned With Ornaments Who Holds A Begging Bowl In His Hand And Is Followed By Demonic Attendants And Love-Sick Women.