AN ENGRAVED BRASS HINDU ALTARPIECE OF THE MONKEY GOD, HANUMAN
Possibly South India, 18th - 19th century

Made of three different sections, comprising a stepped square pedestal, surmounted by the icon (murti) of Hanuman, the Hindu God of Wisdom, Courage, and Self-Discipline, holding his hands in prayer, standing over a stylised lotus base, with a five-headed naga snake hovering over him, and a typical altarpiece panel with flaming arch at the back with mythical makaras breathing fire on each side, and a kirtimukha mask at the top of the ogival arch, the architecture imitating a temple setting, most probably used an altarpiece in a private home.

28.5cm x 16.5cm x 8.5cm