{"product_id":"antique-south-indian-naga-deity-temple-mask-hand-carved-polychrome-wood-nayak-period-18th-to-19th-century","title":"Antique South Indian Naga Deity Temple Mask, Hand-Carved Polychrome Wood, Nayak Period 18th to 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eMeet the showstopper. A genuine 18th to 19th century temple carving from South India, this Naga deity mask has presence to spare and a backstory to match. Hand carved from a single block of wood, dressed in a kaolin gesso ground and painted in vermilion red, olive green and black with whispers of gold leaf still clinging on, it is the kind of face that quietly runs the room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt its heart sits a Kirtimukha, the great Face of Glory, fangs bared and tongue out, the auspicious guardian believed to devour misfortune. Above rises a towering crown of cobras, the sacred Naga of Vasuki, while sun ray ear ornaments and a mysterious spine of Kundalini symbolism trace the ascent of consciousness from base to crown. Turn it around and the surprise lands, the entire back is carved as cobra scale armour, a rare bilateral treatment meant to be admired from every angle as it once travelled on a temple chariot. We will leave the rest to your imagination, and your mantelpiece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStyling \u0026amp; Collectors Inspiration\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is sacred sculpture that loves to hold court. Give it height and a little breathing room, a plinth, a console or a niche, and let the carving do the talking. It sits beautifully within a collection of Asian and devotional art, on a wall of masks, or alone as one dramatic focal point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a temple wall beside the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/decosmutia.com\/products\/balinese-barong-mask-large-hand-carved-and-polychrome-wooden-temple-mask\"\u003eBalinese Barong Temple Mask\u003c\/a\u003e for a chorus of carved guardians.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEcho the Hindu pantheon with the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/decosmutia.com\/products\/old-balinese-ganesha-sculpture-54-cm-hand-carved-polychrome-painted-wooden-statue-rare-elephant-god-variant\"\u003eOld Balinese Ganesha Sculpture\u003c\/a\u003e or the brass \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/decosmutia.com\/products\/unique-tibetan-ganesha-mask-handcrafted-brass-wall-sculpture-with-stone-inlay\"\u003eTibetan Ganesha Mask\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContinue the Indian temple story with the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/decosmutia.com\/products\/erotic-triptych-scenes-from-kamasutra\"\u003eKhajuraho Style Temple Panels\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCross continents with the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/decosmutia.com\/products\/antique-southeast-asian-bronze-buddha-head-sculpture-khmer-style-verdigris-patina-mounted-on-wooden-stand\"\u003eKhmer Bronze Buddha Head\u003c\/a\u003e for a serene counterpoint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWander the full collection here: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/decosmutia.com\/collections\/all\"\u003edecosmutia.com\/collections\/all\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eObject: temple relief Naga deity mask with a Kirtimukha Face of Glory and a cobra crown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: South India, Tamil Nadu region\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod and style: Nayak period, 18th to 19th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: hand carved wood with a kaolin gesso ground\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecoration: polychrome in vermilion red, olive green and black, with traces of original gold leaf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIconography: Vasuki cobra crown, Makara Kundala sun ray ear ornaments, Kundalini and Sushumna spine symbolism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecial feature: bilateral carving with a cobra scale armour back, made to be viewed in the round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 37 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWidth: 20 cm at the crown, 19 cm at the centre, 11.5 cm at the base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepth: 11 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: approximately 1.5 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: very good antique condition with original surface and patina. Please do not clean, as the gesso layer is water sensitive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuantity: one only, a genuine one off\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e📦 Free Insured International Shipping\u003cbr\u003eThis item includes free insured worldwide shipping. It will be carefully packaged by our experienced team to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antiques De Cosmutia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53237547598090,"sku":"247","price":2895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0845\/1548\/8010\/files\/IMG_9021AAA_TITEL01.jpg?v=1781902464","url":"https:\/\/decosmutia.com\/products\/antique-south-indian-naga-deity-temple-mask-hand-carved-polychrome-wood-nayak-period-18th-to-19th-century","provider":"Antiques De Cosmutia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}