1 of 12

18th Century Bronze Palanquin Leopard Finials

$5,373.97List Priceper set

About the Item

Crafted in the form of animals, this exceptional pair of bronze palanquin finials were used to adorn the pole ends of the palanquin or palki. These litter-type modes of transportation have been in use in India for centuries and required 2 to 4 pairs of bearers to carry them. The word “palanquin” is derived from the Sanskrit “palanki” meaning “bed” or “couch”. These lushly covered conveyances were intended to be carried by four to eight bearers known as “behara”, “dulia”, “boyee” or “behara” depending on the region. The interiors were furnished with specialized bedding materials, including pillows to provide the utmost comfort while traveling. Though the earliest mention of palanquin dates to the 3rd century BCE in the epic poem Ramayana, the height of usage occurred during the Mughal era from the 16th through 19th centuries. It wasn't until the advent of railways and roadways that could accommodate wheeled modes of transportation that the use of palanquin fell out of favor. Today, these bygone conveyances are used in ceremonies such as weddings. The ornamentation and complexity palanquin was directly related to social status. The finals also abided by this convention, but these adornments also reflected whether the owner was male or female. Flowers, particularly lotuses, and birds were the typical forms found on women’s palanquin, while those for men often featured fierce animals and creatures from Indian mythology and folklore. Similar palanquin finials can be found in the collections of the Victoria Albert Museum in London and New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Heritage Transport Museum in Taoru, India has an entire exhibit devoted to palanquin with varied finials on display.

Dimensions:
Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Other (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Metalwork
Place of Origin:
India
Period:
Late 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
18th Century
Condition:
Seller Location:
Brussels, BE
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4809216877961

Antique 19th Century Indian Folk Art Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Antique Mythical Tiger Finial Bronze Palanquin Handle 18-19th Century

$2,500

H 6.5 in Dm 9 in

Chinese 18th Century Bronze Vase

Located in Hudson, NY

Chinese 18th century bronze vase with mottled patina. Evidence of a small, old repair.

Category

Antique 18th Century Chinese Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Chinese 18th Century Bronze Vase

$5,500

H 13 in Dm 5.25 in

18th Century Japanese Bronze Temple Vessel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An elegant 18th-century Japanese bronze temple vessel featuring a distinctive three-legged base and gracefully arched twin handles. The surface displays a beautiful aged patina, test...

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Rustic Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Japanese Bronze Temple Vessel

$4,680

H 14 in W 13.5 in D 8 in

Bronze Collection Eighteen Luohan Disciples, 18th-19th Century

Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire

An extremely rare bronze collection of the eighteen (Archats) Luohan Disciples as adorned in Chinese Buddhist culture. The figures are exceptionally well made and represent the Luoha...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Collection Eighteen Luohan Disciples, 18th-19th Century

$11,603 / set

Free Shipping

H 3.35 in W 2.56 in D 1.48 in

18th Century Bronze Censer of a Boy Riding a Bull

Located in Hudson, NY

An incense burner in the shape of a boy playing a flute while riding a bull. The boy is the removable top to the incense receptacle located inside the bull's body.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Bronze Censer of a Boy Riding a Bull

$3,000

H 5.5 in W 5 in D 2 in

18th Century Chinese Qing Bronze Duck Incense Burner Sculpture

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

18th Century Chinese bronze duck incense burner, Qing period Please note that one foot is missing, broken off, see detailed image.

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Chinese Qing Bronze Duck Incense Burner Sculpture

$760 Sale Price

49% Off

H 5.25 in W 7.25 in D 3.9 in

Antique Japanese Patinated Bronze Buddhistic Lion Censer 17th/18th Century

Located in Forney, TX

A remarkable Edo Period (1603-1868) Japanese patinated bronze Buddhistic lion censer, exceptionally executed sculptural shishi foo dog form, finely detailed, retaining the original r...

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Patinated Bronze Buddhistic Lion Censer 17th/18th Century

$3,500

H 7 in W 8.5 in D 5.5 in

Antique Asian Cast Bronze Buddha Head Fragment Bust Sculpture Thai, 18th Century

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Antique Asian and extremely detailed cast bronze fragment of the head of Buddha, dating from the 18 century and presumably having Thai or Tibetan origins. The sculpture fragment is s...

Category

Antique 18th Century Thai Tibetan Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Antique Asian Cast Bronze Buddha Head Fragment Bust Sculpture Thai, 18th Century

$1,750

H 13.6 in W 5 in D 6 in

Japanese Cast Bronze "Longevity" Mirror, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan

Located in Austin, TX

A heavy and finely cast Japanese bronze mirror with longevity symbols, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. The small, round mirror with high walls...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Cast Bronze "Longevity" Mirror, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan

$1,350

H 0.63 in Dm 4.75 in

Pair 18th/19th Century Chinese Bronze Elephant Figure Candle Holder Sculptures

Located in Forney, TX

A pair of finely cast and incised burnished bronze candlestick elephants, Chinese school, 18th-19th Century, Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). Each elephant is standing foursquare with head...

Category