A magnificent large tray in hand-hammered (repoussé) brass, its entire surface given over to dense arabesque scrollwork of foliage and blossoms, through which figures and creatures emerge as if caught mid-story — the hallmark of fine 19th-century Indian metalwork.
At the crown of the composition sits Surya, the sun god, his face set within a crescent, presiding over the scene below. Around him, deer leap through the undergrowth and a pair of stylized lion-guardians — the mythical yali, part lion, part protector — stand amid the scrollwork, watching over the narrative unfolding beneath.
At the tray's center, three figures move together through the foliage — a woman walking with two men, both armed with bows. This grouping is traditionally read as Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, journeying through their forest exile, the fourteen years of hardship and devotion that form the emotional heart of the Ramayana — one of the most frequently rendered episodes in Indian art.
Below, the mood shifts from journey to devotion. A bearded figure holding a trident — the unmistakable attribute of Lord Shiva — is surrounded by a woman extending a flower in offering, and a standing man with hands cupped together in the gesture of anjali mudra, a timeless expression of reverence. Together they form a small tableau of worship, set within the surrounding scrollwork like a shrine glimpsed through a garden.
From sun to sovereign to sanctuary, the tray unfolds almost like a scroll rendered in brass — a layered composition of divinity, duty, and devotion, achieved through the extraordinary patience and skill of the Indo-Persian metalworker's hand.
Dimensions (D x H): 60.3 x 2.8 cm
Very good condition, folds at the border
This item is a work of art or an antique over 100 years old. Shipping restrictions and import regulations may apply depending on your country. Please contact us before placing your order so we can confirm carrier eligibility, customs requirements and any documentation needed for import.
Offered by RDS Gallery, Paris. Worldwide shipping with specialist packaging.
A magnificent large tray in hand-hammered (repoussé) brass, its entire surface given over to dense arabesque scrollwork of foliage and blossoms, through which figures and creatures emerge as if caught mid-story — the hallmark of fine 19th-century Indian metalwork.
At the crown of the composition sits Surya, the sun god, his face set within a crescent, presiding over the scene below. Around him, deer leap through the undergrowth and a pair of stylized lion-guardians — the mythical yali, part lion, part protector — stand amid the scrollwork, watching over the narrative unfolding beneath.
At the tray's center, three figures move together through the foliage — a woman walking with two men, both armed with bows. This grouping is traditionally read as Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, journeying through their forest exile, the fourteen years of hardship and devotion that form the emotional heart of the Ramayana — one of the most frequently rendered episodes in Indian art.
Below, the mood shifts from journey to devotion. A bearded figure holding a trident — the unmistakable attribute of Lord Shiva — is surrounded by a woman extending a flower in offering, and a standing man with hands cupped together in the gesture of anjali mudra, a timeless expression of reverence. Together they form a small tableau of worship, set within the surrounding scrollwork like a shrine glimpsed through a garden.
From sun to sovereign to sanctuary, the tray unfolds almost like a scroll rendered in brass — a layered composition of divinity, duty, and devotion, achieved through the extraordinary patience and skill of the Indo-Persian metalworker's hand.
Dimensions (D x H): 60.3 x 2.8 cm
Very good condition, folds at the border
This item is a work of art or an antique over 100 years old. Shipping restrictions and import regulations may apply depending on your country. Please contact us before placing your order so we can confirm carrier eligibility, customs requirements and any documentation needed for import.
Offered by RDS Gallery, Paris. Worldwide shipping with specialist packaging.
