Karnataka
Wood
A charming folk wooden carved head of a male attendant/guardian figure wearing a tiered crown and large ornamental earrings. Such figures were placed in folk temples in Karnataka and usually painted and clothed.
Attendant figures called Dwarapalas or ‘door guardians’ are placed at the entrance of every temple, shrine or sacred precinct. Two or four-handed, they sometimes carry in their hands the emblem of the deity enshrined in the sanctuary. Their countenance may sometimes be fierce and occasionally fangs protrude from their mouths. Temples dedicated to goddesses have female guardians – the Dwarapalikas.
Size (cms): 25(H) x 15(W) x 10(D)
Size (inches): 10(H) x 6(W) x 4(D)
