G760.12 A WOODEN PANEL FROM A RITUAL CHARIOT DEPICTING TUMBURU


Sculpture

G760.12 A WOODEN PANEL FROM A RITUAL CHARIOT DEPICTING TUMBURU

SOUTH INDIA, TAMIL NADU

18TH – 19TH CENTURY

H. 55 CMS, 21 ½ INS

A lively carved wood panel depicting the celestial musician Tumburu playing a sitar, wearing elaborate jewellery and a long flowing garland, the apex with a kirthimukha (‘face of glory’).

Tumburu (Tumbaru, Tamburu, Tumbura,Tumvuru or Timburu) is one of the most celebrated celestial musicians in Indian mythology. He is usually recognized with his horse’s head. This panel probably comes from a temple chariot used to convey sacred Hindu images during a procession.

For a group of four chariot panels of similar type in the Musée Guimet see cat. nos. 20-23 in George Michell (ed.), Living Wood: Sculptural Traditions of Southern India. Bombay: MARG Publication, 1992.

Provenance: Private English Collection.

Acquired during the family’s long service in India between 1946 and 1967.