A CARVED WOODEN DOOR PANEL WITH THE GODDESS LAKSHMI

This carved wood panel was probably decorating a front door and is characteristic of the decoration developped for the large mansions built for the Chettiars in the Chettinad area, Tamil Nadu. This group of wealthy merchants flourished during the 19th century. For a discussion on Chettinad houses and their decoration see George Michell ed., Living Wood: Sculptural Traditions Of Southern India, London, 1992, pp.53-72.