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Antique Large Indian Kalamkari Temple Painting Hindu Story Textile Wall Art (2)
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
for sale €585     $635
£500
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables

Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables

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Antique Large Indian Kalamkari Temple Painting Hindu Story Textile Wall Art (2)

1900 - 1920
Description

A Kalamkari Temple Painting from South India depicting a Hindu story, circa 1900-1920. This hand-drawn, all-natural hand-dyed textile was a traditional artwork of the temple town of Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh in South India. Set on a wooden frame and a string across the back for hanging his art on the wall.

Kalamkari is an ancient textile printing art that finds its roots in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The ancient textile printing art form is believed to have evolved about 3000 years ago in Andhra Pradesh. Kalamkari gained popularity in the south of India during the reign of Vijayanagara Empire. Kalam implies 'pen' and Kari means 'art', a name given by the Mughals when they discovered the art during their reign over the Deccan region. Only natural dyes are used in Kalamkari, which involves twenty-three steps. There are two main styles of Kalamkari. The block printed that is practised in the town of Machilipatnam and the hand painted style that is largely practised in the town of Srikalahasti, both located in Andhra Pradesh.

Srikalahasti style of Kalamkari, where the "kalam" or pen is used for freehand drawing of the subject and filling in the colours, is entirely hand worked. It is produced in Srikalahasti of Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. This style flourished in temples centred on creating unique religious identities, appearing on scrolls, temple hangings, chariot banners as well as depictions of deities and scenes taken from the Hindu epics (e.g. Ramayana, Mahabharata and Purana). The style owes its present status to Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay who popularised the art as the first chairperson of the All India Handicrafts Board.

Dimensions

Height - 119.7 cm / 47.1 inches

Width - 184.2 cm / 72.5 inches

Depth - 2cm / 0.78 inches

Free UK mainland delivery.

Physical Dimensions
Height
119.7cm (47.13")
Width
184.2cm (72.52")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Declaration

Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables has dated this Indian Kalamkari Temple Painting to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1212351
Dealers Notes

Delivery:

Free UK mainland delivery (excluding Scottish islands and other UK islands).

International delivery available — please contact us or request a quote.

Description
A Kalamkari Temple Painting from South India depicting a Hindu story, circa 1900-1920.
This hand-drawn, all-natural hand-dyed textile was a traditional artwork of the temple town of Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh in South India.
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables

Set on a wooden frame and a string across the back for hanging his art on the wall.

fig 1. A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones.
fig 1. Antique Large Indian Kalamkari Temple Painting Hindu Story Textile Wall Art (2)

Kalamkari is an ancient textile printing art that finds its roots in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The ancient textile printing art form is believed to have evolved about 3000 years ago in Andhra Pradesh. Kalamkari gained popularity in the south of India during the reign of Vijayanagara Empire. Kalam implies 'pen' and Kari means 'art', a name given by the Mughals when they discovered the art during their reign over the Deccan region. Only natural dyes are used in Kalamkari, which involves twenty-three steps. There are two main styles of Kalamkari. The block printed that is practised in the town of Machilipatnam and the hand painted style that is largely practised in the town of Srikalahasti, both located in Andhra Pradesh.

fig 2. A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones.
fig 2. Antique Large Indian Kalamkari Temple Painting Hindu Story Textile Wall Art (2)

Srikalahasti style of Kalamkari, where the "kalam" or pen is used for freehand drawing of the subject and filling in the colours, is entirely hand worked. It is produced in Srikalahasti of Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. This style flourished in temples centred on creating unique religious identities, appearing on scrolls, temple hangings, chariot banners as well as depictions of deities and scenes taken from the Hindu epics (e.g. Ramayana, Mahabharata and Purana). The style owes its present status to Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay who popularised the art as the first chairperson of the All India Handicrafts Board.

Dimensions

Height - 119.7 cm / 47.1 inches

Width - 184.2 cm / 72.5 inches

Depth - 2cm / 0.78 inches

Free UK mainland delivery.

Height
119.7cm (47.13")
Width
184.2cm (72.52")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Date of Manufacture

Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables has dated this Indian Kalamkari Temple Painting to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1212351
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2024
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables Profile Page

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A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones.
1 / 13
Archive I A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones.

Antique Large Indian Kalamkari Temple Painting Hindu Story Textile Wall Art (2)

Archive II A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View II
Archive III A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View III
Archive IV A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View IV
Archive V A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View V
Archive VI A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View VII
Archive VIII A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View VIII
Archive IX A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View IX
Archive X A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View X
Archive XI A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View XI
Archive XII A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View XII
Archive XIII A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01553 601578
Location
West Norfolk
United Kingdom
Verified Since Aug 2024
Items For Sale 63
Items Sold 185
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Knight Fine Antiques and Collectables
Verified Since Aug 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: West Norfolk, United Kingdom
Verified
Aug 2024
For Sale
63
Sold
185
A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones.
Antique Large Indian Kalamkari Temple Painting Hindu Story Textile Wall Art (2)
Ref: SA1212351
A rectangular Indian Kalamkari cotton textile displaying narrative panels filled with hand-drawn Hindu deities framed by a decorative floral border in blue, beige, and terracotta tones.
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Archival Detail
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Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Kalamkari is a traditional Indian hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile art form originating in Andhra Pradesh. Temple paintings in this style depict Hindu mythological narratives and deities, historically functioning as visual storytelling backdrops during religious ceremonies.

Traditional Kalamkari textiles are produced on handspun cotton fabric using natural vegetable dyes derived from plants, roots, minerals, and organic mordants. Artists use a bamboo pen called a kalam to apply black iron acetate outlines before filling detailed sections with natural pigments.

Authentic Srikalahasti Kalamkari displays subtle variations in line weight, freehand penwork details, and natural color bleed. Unlike modern screen-printed reproductions, hand-painted examples feature soft, earthy organic pigments and characterful line work.

Mounting or framing a Kalamkari textile creates a focal point above a sideboard or console table in neutral or eclectic interiors. Pairing the detailed figurative composition with understated contemporary furniture allows the historic narrative and natural tones to stand out.

Textile artwork must be kept away from direct sunlight and elevated humidity to prevent colour fading and fibre breakdown. Displaying the fabric behind UV-filtering protective glass or hanging it away from direct heat sources ensures long-term conservation.
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