Maharashtra
Wood
A beautiful votive doll with its hands pressed in anjali mudra, a gesture of greeting and prayer. These small figures carved in wood, usually representing worshipping women, but also female water carriers, mothers, or pregnant women are simple in design, yet it is this implied simplicity that makes these figures attractive. They take various forms, triangular, rectangular, round or stepped. Often only the front of the sculptures are carved whereas the rears maybe left untreated. Often statuettes miss a nose, ears or arms. Many of the faces have been worn down from use, to a point where they reveal no detail.
These small figures were used for devotional purposes within the home, placed there as votive offerings to the Goddess Maulli/Mariai. Mauli is a powerful folk deity that protects against illness such as smallpox and cholera. But at the same time, neglecting her inflicts her wrath. She also takes the role of a fertility goddess to whom childless women seek respite. Figures of the Goddess are worshipped with turmeric, some red kunkum and oil which is daubed on her forehead.
Size (cms): 18.5(H) x 9(W) x 9(D)
Size (inches): 7.5(H) x 3.5(W) x 3.5(D)
