Teak Chariot Carving Of Kali - 18th Century

This is an antique carved teak chariot panel depicting Kali, the Hindu goddess of ultimate power. She wears a tall crown and wields a trident symbolistic of her affiliation with Shiva. In her right hands she holds a Damaru Trisula noose & a skull bowl. A Yali lion, a guardian creature who protects humanity can be seen at the top. 

This carving is from Tamil Nadu in South India and dates to the 18^th century. It would have been part of a large ceremonial chariot known Ratha Yatra, enormous temples on wheels that are drawn through the streets by hundreds of people. Temples dedicated to Ardhanarishvara are rare and exclusively found in Tamil Nadu. Originally this carving would have been coated in pitch, a tar like substance to protect it.

This was carved from a young tree and a strongly coloured section of heartwood is visible.

A similar example can be found at the Musee Bourdelle in Paris & at LACMA (Los Angles County Museum of Art. Accession number M.2011.5.

Dimesnions:

22 x 8 x 46 (wxdxh cms)

From India

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