Buddhist Antiques, Asian and Indian Artifacts, Kerala Door

Wooden Antique Door With Deity

Antique Teakwood Door With Carving of Kirtimuka

A fine heavy Teakwood door from the South Indian region of Kerala. Kerala is noted for its robust woodcarving style, less ornamental than its neighbor state of Tamil Nadu, but powerful in it vigorous use of line. The carved centre of the door at its apex has a Kirtimuka or face of glory signifying at once the world of creation spewing forth from the mouth of the cosmos and the world of destruction - the all consuming mouth of time. Beneath the face are lotus rondels interspersed with breast like domes. Such domes are the common architectural feature of Kerala temple roofs. Appropriately, the space the deity sits in is known as the womb. So a rich fertility is suggested here. Bands of iron frame the door and a heavy decorated lock is a feature on the right side.