Indian Bronze Image of Standing Hanuman

This fine image of the monkey deity Hanuman is particularly noteworthy for its tail which rises from behind the god and reaches above his head in a long, fine, ‘S’-shaped crook. The deity stands on a tiered square platform with his hands clasped before him in anjali mudra.

He is bare-chested but wears a fringed dhoti; a prominent necklace; arm bands, bracelets and anklets; and a tiered headdress.

Only the tail and head betray monkey features; the body is largely human.

Hanuman is a popular god all over Hindu India but is particularly ubiquitous in the South. He is a key figure in the Ramayana epic as the head of the monkey army and is charged with capturing the heroine Sita from the evil Ravana.

The image here has a fine, glossy chocolate patina. The contours have been softened by ritual handling and puja wear. There are no major losses or repairs.