Bronze Hanuman Statue, India

Bronze Image of Hanuman

This fine example of the money-headed god Hanuman dates from the 18th century and most probably is from Tamil Nadu in South India. The bronze has a stoic simplicity which lends it a sculptural elegance. Of good size, it shows the god with his right arm outstretch. He wears a conical headdress and has a prominent ‘S’-shaped tail cast onto his back. Only the tail and head betray monkey features; the body is largely human.

His face is cast with humility but determination. His body is strongly modelled befitting a heroic, soldier figure.

Hanuman is a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana in which he participates in Rama’s war against the demon king Ravana.

The image has a fine green-brown patina, and is attached to a wooden stand. Possibly the bonze was once part of a group that included Rama, Laksamana and Sita – the four usually are woshipped together in Tamil Nadu.