A PAIR OF CARVED POLYCHROME WOOD PANELS OF DEVI KERALA, CIRCA 18TH CENTURYA PAIR OF CARVED POLYCHROME WOOD PANELS OF DEVIKERALA, CIRCA 18TH CENTURY38 3/4 x 10 in. (98.4 x 25.4 cm), each喀拉拉邦 約十八世紀 彩繪木雕女神像一對These dramatic panels depict fierce and peaceful manifestations of the Great Goddess, Devi. Each figure is adorned with lavish jewels and voluminous dhotis, presented in exuberant Keralan dress associated with the Kathakali dance tradition. They may have either formed part of a temple chariot (ratha) or a temple's iconographic program, possibly flanking an entrance as guardians. Two other closely related panels were sold at Sotheby's, New York, 21 March 2002, lots 199 & 200. A similar wall panel of a female figure is held in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (Guy, Indian Temple Sculpture, 2007, p. 109). Also compare with undecorated panels of Rama and Lakshmana sold at Bonhams, New York, 19 March 2019, lot 855.Provenance:Private New York Collection, by 1972Thence by descent to the present owner