Bronze Hanuman Statue, India
Bronze Image of Hanuman
South India
18th century
height (without stand): 17.3cm
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.
References
Pal, P., Indian Sculpture, Volume 2 – 700-1800, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1988.
Pal, P.,
Art from the Indian Subcontinent: Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Yale University Press, 2003.Provenance:
UK art market
Inventory no.: 3121
SOLD