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The intricately carved doorway at the
beginning of the Gallery is only a small indication of the
magnificent doors, windows, and arches, with their own set
of Gods, Goddesses, animals and apsaras to welcome you.
Painted archways, carved panels, doors in wood and ivory,
giant icons, majestic lions-it’s an awesome welcome into
a world of artistic grandeur. Wood has always been a stimulating
medium for the carver’s art. The doors, windows and ceilings
at the Museum show how imaginatively the artists have created
a world of memorable beauty.
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Carved Door
Ras-Krida Motif
(Rajasthan)
20th Cent A.D. |
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There are intricate floral designs, symmetrical patterns, romantic
themes of Radha and Krishna, the imposing sequence of Dashavatar
(the ten incarnations of God Vishnu, the divine Protector among
the Hindu Trinity) and plain dolls too.
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Wooden Panel (South India) 18th
Cent A.D.
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On one ceiling the artists have carved a bewitching
scene of Sheshashayi God Vishnu, the deity reclining on
his ophidian couch against a backdrop of criss-crossing
snakes. More mundane articles of wood in the collection
include brightly painted silos for storing grain, carved
in the shape of elephants, a cupboard for dowry garments
in the form of an elephant with a rider. Apart from the
main attraction of galloping horses, there are leaping lions
and charging tigers, graceful peacocks and mischievous monkeys.
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Galloping Horse
(South India)
Late 19thCent A.D
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All the wooden artifacts like pillars, brackets
are brought from (Patan). The state of Gujarat makes the facade
of a typical Gujarati house. The wooden objects specially used in
Gujarati houses are the grinding wheel, spinning wheel, standing
lamp and vessel for churning butter and the dowry boxes are part
of beautiful wooden collection of the Museum. The wooden Jai-Vijay
(the guards of God Sri-Vishnu), the wheel of zodiac signs, the Yali
(Dushtadamanak - The evil crusher) are the main attractions of rare
wooden objects collection .
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The wooden doors fromhouses and temples give
glorious evidence of the ancient Indian heritage. Unfortunately
some of them have been destroyed in the flow of period. Some
of the specimens which have survived are restored in the Museum.
The Raas-Leela door from Nathdwar, Rajasthan and temple door
from Bhuvaneshwar, Orissa are really worthy of mention.
The doors in the Museum are made of either wood or Ivory.
These doors have not only served the purpose of protection
but are also pieces of art. The coloured wooden statues from
Sawantwadi, Maharashtra depict the story of Sudama and Lord
Sri-Krishna. Statues of Lord Ganesha riding on horse and of
Lord Sri-Shiva Parvati are noteworthy.
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Temple Door (Orissa)
18th Cent. A.D.
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Facade of Gujarati House
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Wooden Cupboard for Garments
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(Gujarat)
19th Cent. A.D.
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(Rajasthan)
19th Cent. A.D..
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