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Nine Polychrome Wooden Sculptures of a Musical & Dance Troupe
South India
late 19th century
heights: ranging from 29cm to 39cm
This musical troupe accompanied by a single female dancer of painted carved wood is the finest we have seen - the attention to detail is exceptional. Every
fold of cloth and each body movement and contour has been carefully captured by the wood carver. The faces of each performer are particularly sensitively
rendered. The dancer has a metal girdle about her waist from which metal spheres are suspended but other than that, the set is entirely composed of painted
and gilded wood. Each member of the set is also taller than is usual. The set has an excellent patina, and other than for minor age-related losses, it is in very
good condition.
The set has no religious function; it was made purely for decorative reasons for a local client.
Other than the female dancer, the set comprises a bag pipe player, a drummer, a cymbals player and five other players of wind instruments.
The troupe might well have been for a wedding or some other festivity. Certainly, the troupe with its (part) Western forms of dress such as breeches,
stockings, and military jackets and Westernised musical instruments would have performed for wealthy, educated clients. Indeed, the set was sourced form a
Chettiar mansion in Tamil Nadhu.
The Chettiars are a caste group with a caste-occupation linkage of money changing and lending, and trading. Tightly knit, the Chettiars have nine temples in
Chettinad and all Chettiars regardless of where they are born, belong to one or another of these nine temples, which effectively function as clan temples.
Other than in southern India, prominent Chettiar communities established themselves in Southeast Asia, particularly Rangoon and Singapore. The wealth that
derived from their occupation and from their cross-border spatial dispersion meant that many Chettiar families became very wealthy. The community
developed a preference for massive fort-like mansions (called nattukottai) in Chettinad, many of which housed the extended family and which took up whole
blocks in city and village streets. The mansions were sumptuously decorated - these statues are an example of the sorts of decorative items the Chettiars
preferred. The fortunes of the Chettiars declined after the Second World War. Much of their wealth was overseas in Burma, Sumatra and Malaysia. But with
rising nationalism, ethnic tension and even nationalisation, much of their wealth was lost or confiscated.
Overall, this is a highly decorative set, of excellent quality and in fine condition.
References: Muthiah, S., The Chettiar Heritage, Chennai, 2006.
Inventory no.: 903
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Nine Polychrome Wooden Sculptures of a Musical & Dance Troupe
South India
late 19th century
heights: ranging from 29cm to 39cm
This musical troupe accompanied by a single female dancer of painted carved wood is the finest we have seen - the attention to detail is exceptional. Every
fold of cloth and each body movement and contour has been carefully captured by the wood carver. The faces of each performer are particularly sensitively
rendered. The dancer has a metal girdle about her waist from which metal spheres are suspended but other than that, the set is entirely composed of painted
and gilded wood. Each member of the set is also taller than is usual. The set has an excellent patina, and other than for minor age-related losses, it is in very
good condition.
The set has no religious function; it was made purely for decorative reasons for a local client.
Other than the female dancer, the set comprises a bag pipe player, a drummer, a cymbals player and five other players of wind instruments.
The troupe might well have been for a wedding or some other festivity. Certainly, the troupe with its (part) Western forms of dress such as breeches,
stockings, and military jackets and Westernised musical instruments would have performed for wealthy, educated clients. Indeed, the set was sourced form a
Chettiar mansion in Tamil Nadhu.
The Chettiars are a caste group with a caste-occupation linkage of money changing and lending, and trading. Tightly knit, the Chettiars have nine temples in
Chettinad and all Chettiars regardless of where they are born, belong to one or another of these nine temples, which effectively function as clan temples.
Other than in southern India, prominent Chettiar communities established themselves in Southeast Asia, particularly Rangoon and Singapore. The wealth that
derived from their occupation and from their cross-border spatial dispersion meant that many Chettiar families became very wealthy. The community
developed a preference for massive fort-like mansions (called nattukottai) in Chettinad, many of which housed the extended family and which took up whole
blocks in city and village streets. The mansions were sumptuously decorated - these statues are an example of the sorts of decorative items the Chettiars
preferred. The fortunes of the Chettiars declined after the Second World War. Much of their wealth was overseas in Burma, Sumatra and Malaysia. But with
rising nationalism, ethnic tension and even nationalisation, much of their wealth was lost or confiscated.
Overall, this is a highly decorative set, of excellent quality and in fine condition.
References: Muthiah, S., The Chettiar Heritage, Chennai, 2006.
Inventory no.: 903
This Item is available - Ask about this item
