South Indian Carved Panel – Annapakshi Birds and Lotus

This antique Indian carved panel in wood features a decor of lotus and mythical Annapakshi birds deeply carved into a dense wood with an antique patina.

• W 74.5 cm x H 16 cm x D 3.5 cm
• Very dense wood, weight: 3.45 kg

Antique Indian Carved Wooden Panel

This carved wooden architectural fragment features a rich decor where stylized birds, open lotus flowers, and large foliate scrolls are organized around a particularly dynamic symmetrical composition. Due to its elongated format, it may have originated from a lintel, a door panel, or a decorative element integrated into the interior architecture of a South Indian residence.

The birds visible in the central part recall traditional representations of Annam / Annapakshi, creatures associated with the Hamsa in Tamil ornamentation. In Hindu iconography, this mythical bird linked to Sarasvati can take hybrid forms, borrowing from the swan, the peacock, or certain stylized aquatic birds.

The sculptor favored very deep relief work, giving the panel a strong visual presence despite its relatively compact dimensions. The rounded volumes of the floral motifs contrast with the darker recesses of the background, while the surface retains slight irregularities and tool marks testifying to antique craftsmanship.

The set currently offered comes from a group of panels kept for several decades in the Claude de Marteau collection, where various Asian architectural elements and sculptures were gathered.