Central India
Brass alloy
A decorative palanquin pole finial attachment taking the sculptural form of a vyali with a pointed nose, large wavy brows culminating in small protruding ears. The vyali is open mouthed exposing large teeth and its large sunburst mane is held down by a collar.
Palanquins or sedan chairs were used throughout India, the larger ones to transport people and the smaller ones for religious deities to be taken around the temple complex on festival days. The present example is from the latter category. It was fitted to the wooden forward pole of the palanquin; the rear pole was usually covered with a simple metal cover or cylinder.
Size (cms) with stand: 18(H) x 24.5(W) x 14(D)
Size (inches) with stand: 7(H) x 9.5(W) x 5.5(D)
