Sandalwood Decorative Plate with Peacock
Sandalwood decorative plate carved with peacock motif
Front view showing relief-carved peacock, geometric border carving, and recessed oval composition.
Name/Title
Sandalwood Decorative Plate with PeacockEntry/Object ID
183Description
Summary Small sandalwood decorative plate carved with a peacock in relief, produced in Karnataka, India, circa 1973–1975. The object combines shallow relief carving with incised feather detailing and geometric border ornament characteristic of commercial Karnataka sandalwood handicrafts of the period. Purchased by Vijaya Kumari Ramakrishna during travels in the 1970s, the plate remained displayed within the family showcase for most of its life before being transferred to the owner circa 2012 shortly before her death. ⸻ Detailed The object is a small oval sandalwood decorative plate with shallow recessed center and raised ornamental border. The central field contains a relief carving of a peacock shown in profile with elongated tail plumage extending horizontally across the composition. The bird is articulated through shallow modeling and repetitive incised feather patterns. Surrounding the central image is a layered border system composed of repeating scalloped and geometric motifs carved in low relief. Lightly incised background vegetation and landscape elements complete the composition. The sandalwood surface has developed mild oxidation and warm age darkening consistent with the object’s age. Minor abrasions, localized dark marks, and light handling wear are visible within the recessed field and near the peacock head. Dust accumulation remains present within select carved recesses. The reverse is smoothly worked but unfinished relative to the carved face. Remnants of an old adhesive label survive on the underside along with faint handwritten notation. The plate was acquired by Vijaya Kumari Ramakrishna during travels circa 1973–1975 and remained within the family showcase for most of its life as part of the household’s decorative sandalwood display environment. Around 2012, shortly before her death, the object was transferred to the owner during her visit to Bangalore House.Category
Permanent Collection