Important Notice

Kerala, 15th Century
Stone
Height: 39.5 in (100.5 cm)
Width: 21.25 in (54 cm)
Depth: 16 in (40.5 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Mumbai

The architecture in the state of Kerala has been predominantly wood based. Most of the walls and roofs were adorned with intricate wooden carvings, a skill the state would excel in. Only a handful of spaces in the home would have sculptures made of stone, one of those areas being the entrance doorway. A pair of dwarpalakas or divine guardians, would be created in stone to protect the first access point of the house. These pieces, subject to immense weathering, were always first to get damaged over time, making them unsuitable for the role they were meant to play. Over the last century, several such dwarpalakas were sold off during renovations and made their way to private collectors. The quality and relevance of a Kerala dwarpalaka is determined by the ferocity of its expression since its purpose is to ward off evil. This particular lot also has a decorative crown adorning the warrior and signifying his importance. The hands of the gatekeeper are also armed with weapons and tools befitting its principal role. Here, the worn surface of the stone also adds to the beauty of the sculpture and proudly shows the histories it has lived through and lives it has witnessed.

Kerala, 15th Century
Stone
Height: 39.5 in (100.5 cm)
Width: 21.25 in (54 cm)
Depth: 16 in (40.5 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Mumbai

The architecture in the state of Kerala has been predominantly wood based. Most of the walls and roofs were adorned with intricate wooden carvings, a skill the state would excel in. Only a handful of spaces in the home would have sculptures made of stone, one of those areas being the entrance doorway. A pair of dwarpalakas or divine guardians, would be created in stone to protect the first access point of the house. These pieces, subject to immense weathering, were always first to get damaged over time, making them unsuitable for the role they were meant to play. Over the last century, several such dwarpalakas were sold off during renovations and made their way to private collectors. The quality and relevance of a Kerala dwarpalaka is determined by the ferocity of its expression since its purpose is to ward off evil. This particular lot also has a decorative crown adorning the warrior and signifying his importance. The hands of the gatekeeper are also armed with weapons and tools befitting its principal role. Here, the worn surface of the stone also adds to the beauty of the sculpture and proudly shows the histories it has lived through and lives it has witnessed.