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    Sale 2112

    The Scholar's Vision: The Pal Family Collection

    New York

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    20 March 2008

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    • A group of four polychromed wo
    Lot 308

    A group of four polychromed wooden figures of characters from Kathakali Dance

    INDIA, KERALA, 1900-1950

    Price realised

    USD 32,200

    Estimate

    USD 4,000 - USD 6,000

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    A group of four polychromed wooden figures of characters from Kathakali Dance
    India, Kerala, 1900-1950
    Including Venugopala and Bhima from the Mahabharata, remarkably detailed with masks, costumes and lively attitudes
    16½ in. (42 cm.) high max.

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    Lot Essay

    The name Kathakali derives from the Malayalam words "katha" (meaning story) and "kali" (meaning play).
    Traditionally there are 101 classical Kathakali stories, most of which were initially composed to last a whole night. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes, such as the ones worn by these figures, re-enact stories from the mahabharata and Ramayana.

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