Vintage Repoussed Shesh Naaga framed on Brocade

This striking piece from The Blue Trunk’s “Framed Masterpiece” collection features a vintage Shesh Naaga rendered in finely worked repoussé copper, mounted against a rich black and gold brocade and framed in gold. The composition centres on a majestic seven-hooded Naaga, with meticulously detailed heads rising from a coiled base, conveying both dynamism and controlled power. At the heart of the panel, a repoussé Yaali further enriches the iconography, adding a layer of mythological symbolism and visual complexity.

Repoussé—an ancient metalworking technique involving shaping metal from the reverse side—demands exceptional skill and precision. In this piece, the technique lends depth and sculptural presence, allowing light to play across the surface. Estimated to be nearly a century old, the panel bears a natural, time-earned patina that underscores its age, authenticity, and ritual lineage.

In Indian tradition, Nagas occupy a powerful and enduring place in religious and cultural imagination. Revered as serpent deities, they are associated with protection, fertility, transformation, and cosmic energy. Appearing across Hindu mythology, temple sculpture, and ritual practice, Nagas are often depicted as guardians of sacred spaces and conduits between the earthly and the divine. Shesh Naaga, in particular, is venerated as the cosmic serpent, embodying eternity and balance.

Today, this framed panel stands as both a devotional image and a sculptural work of art—equally suited to a curated wall display or a serious collection of Indian metalwork. Carefully selected for The Blue Trunk, it is valued for its craftsmanship, layered symbolism, and timeless visual presence.