Wood & Stone Sculptures
The Indian South had a profusion of craftsmen who carved predominantly religious figurines out of wood and stone. This capability exists to this day, although modern technology has been incorporated into what was once an entirely manual process.
Included in our range of vintage wood and stone sculptures are female temple sculptures, which represented the different dimensions of the “Bhuta Culture” from the coastal Karnataka region. Some are depictions of Chikku, a demure and pretty goddess with her hair coiled on one side. Others are depictions of a temple attendee. These sculptures are made of wood and given a polychrome finish.
Nagas are an example of work on stone. Hindus venerate snakes because they represent eternity and impermanence, life and death, time and timelessness. Nowhere else in India is the cult of snake worship more integral to people’s lives as in the state of Kerala. It is a vital component of its rich cultural heritage. All houses in Kerala had a stone naga in their compound.
