Patan (Gujarat)
Wood
This elegant architectural bracket depicts a musician holding an instrument, possibly a veena. Finely modelled, the figure wears a fitted blouse and pleated skirt, along with a crown decorated with floral motifs and a repeating lobed pattern. A petite peacock is positioned behind her legs.
The haveli-temple is a unique religious institution, especially popular in Gujarat. The term haveli designates a large, wealthy residential mansion, and the haveli-temple is a temple accommodated within such a private residence. Although established and owned by a family, the temple portion was accessible to the public and was regularly visited by devotees throughout the day, especially at the scheduled time of the ritual darshan (worship). The temple had no shikhara (tower) or other distinguishing characteristics and externally resembled other havelis of the neighbourhood.
Wood carving is the ancestral occupation of the Hindu Suthar community and is practised in the districts of Patan and Ahmedabad. The legacy of exquisite wood carving is evident in the traditional havelis (mansions) across Gujarat’s districts. Haveli structures in Patan are characterised by their eclectic use of geometric or floral patterns, as well as motifs inspired by European and West Asian decorative elements, on the balconies and ceilings. Whereas the wooden architecture of Ahmedabad acquires its distinctive aesthetic through the use of patterns borrowed from block printing and textiles.
Size (cms): 84(H) x 16(W) x 16(D)
Size (inches): 33(H) x 6.5(W) x 6.5(D)
