INDIA, 19TH CENTURY

Details

A Polychromed Marble Figure of Hanuman
India, 19th century
The monkey god striding forward over a lotus throne, holding aloft Dronagiri mountain in one hand and his weapon in the other, backed by an open frame, with gilding and polychromy all over
25 3/8 in. (64.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Acquired circa 1983, New York

Lot Essay

When Lakshman is severely wounded in the war against Ravana, Hanuman is sent to fetch a powerful life-restoring herb from the Dronagiri mountain in the Himalayas to revive him. When he is unable to find the herb before nightfall, Hanuman displays his might by lifting the entire Dronagiri mountain and bringing it to the battlefield in Lanka, thus helping others find the herb to restore Lakshman. An emotional Rama hugs Hanuman, declaring him as dear to him as his own beloved brother.

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