Vintage Hanuman - Relief work on stone

This vintage relief carving from Maharashtra depicts Hanuman in dynamic motion—striding forward with one arm akimbo and the other raised in a powerful gesture. His long, curling tail arches gracefully over his head and loops down toward the front, forming a rhythmic counterpoint to the strength of his posture. The sculptor has achieved remarkable depth and expression in stone, capturing both the heroic vigor and the unwavering devotion that Hanuman embodies.

Though carved on a modest scale, the relief is a masterclass in proportion and movement. The muscular contours of Hanuman’s body, the slight turn of his torso, and the flowing arc of the tail all speak to the artisan’s keen eye and steady hand. Time has softened the stone’s surface, lending the piece a mellow patina and quiet dignity that enhance its vintage allure.

Hanuman, the beloved monkey-god and servant of Lord Rama, holds immense significance in Indian devotional culture. His raised hand likely represents the abhaya mudra, a gesture of reassurance and protection, while the hand at his waist reflects strength and self-mastery. Hanuman’s tail—here dramatically emphasized—is not merely decorative but symbolic of his boundless energy and divine power.

Stone reliefs such as this were often placed on temple walls, gateways, or sanctified niches to invoke protection, courage, and unwavering faith. Maharashtra, with its long lineage of temple architecture and sculpture—from the rock-cut wonders of Ellora to village shrines—has nurtured a distinct sculptural language. This piece is a fine testament to that tradition, where mythology, movement, and material coalesce into enduring devotion.