SOUTH INDIA, TAMIL NADU OR ANDHRA PRADESH.

LATE 18TH CENTURY – EARL 19TH CENTURY.

H. 203 CMS, 80 INS.

A monumental polychromed wood figure of a Dvarapala (temple guardian), dynamic and imposing, carved in low relief, with an intent, watchful gaze and small protruding fangs, wearing large round earrings, a necklace with a disc pendant, basubands and a tall tapering crown decorated with a leaf motif, trailing a long garland, the right hand raised with his index finger extended heavenwards, his right leg elevated at the knee and resting against a large club or mace; the surface covered with a layer of jute cloth and predominantly red polychrome decoration, the reverse with iron attachment loops.

Because of the Indian subcontinent’s heat and humidity, there are almost no wooden sculptures surviving from before the 17th or 18th century. In Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other parts of southern India wood is used to make chariots (rathas) and other conveyances (vahanas) for carrying sacred images of the gods in festival processions. Wood is also used for architectural supports, wall panels and votive images within the temple itself. Dvarapalas are often placed as guardians at the entrance to the temple’s inner sanctuary and the figure offered here probably served this purpose.

For a pair of related dvarapalas on a chariot from the Kapalishvara Temple, Mylapore, Madras see fig. 3 in George Michell (ed.), Living Wood: Sculptural Traditions of Southern India. Bombay: MARG Publications, 1992. Two consorts of Aiyanar in a large Tamil Nadu votive image have similar headdresses – see catalogue no. 61 (ibid.).