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ID #SA1237531
FOR SALE
£990
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2 Large Antique Indian Terracotta Tent Pole Tops
For sale by Elmgarden
for sale €1,158     $1,257
£990
Elmgarden

Elmgarden

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2010
Browse dealers 793 items
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Id #SA1237531
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2 Large Antique Indian Terracotta Tent Pole Tops

19th century
For Sale by Elmgarden
Description

2 Large Antique Indian Terracotta Tent Pole Tops

These wonderful pieces have been made in the image of frightening characters to keep evil spirits at bay. The heads would have been set on the top of a tent, they have small holes in the terracotta to allow smoke to escape and they have smoke stains on the inside.

These are very unusual pieces, they are 17” tall, 10” wide and 8” deep

RF86. WE224

To get an accurate delivery quote please send the item number with your location to Elmgarden Antiques.

Date of Manufacture

Elmgarden has dated these Indian Terracotta Pole Tops to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
43cm (16.93")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
20cm (7.87")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1237531
Dealers Internal Reference
RF86
Dealers Notes

To get an accurate delivery quote please send the item number along with your location to Elmgarden Antiques.

www.elmgardenantiques.com

TELEPHONE

07768 997 907

INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE

0044 7768 997 907

Description
2 Large Antique Indian Terracotta Tent Pole Tops
“
These wonderful pieces have been made in the image of frightening characters to keep evil spirits at bay.
Elmgarden

The heads would have been set on the top of a tent, they have small holes in the terracotta to allow smoke to escape and they have smoke stains on the inside.

These are very unusual pieces, they are 17” tall, 10” wide and 8” deep

RF86. WE224

To get an accurate delivery quote please send the item number with your location to Elmgarden Antiques.

Date of Manufacture

Elmgarden has dated these Indian Terracotta Pole Tops to the 19th Century.

Height
43cm (16.93")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
20cm (7.87")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1237531
Dealers Internal Ref
RF86
Elmgarden
Elmgarden
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2010

A family run business since 1980, now on line world wide.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Elmgarden Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns.
1 / 6
Archive I Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns.

2 Large Antique Indian Terracotta Tent Pole Tops

Archive II Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns. View II
Archive III Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns. View III
Archive IV Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns. View IV
Archive V Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns. View V
Archive VI Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Elmgarden

Elmgarden
Telephone 07768 997 907
Location
Hampshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/elmgarden
Verified Since Feb 2010
Items For Sale 793
Items Sold 5,637
Elmgarden
Elmgarden
Verified Since Feb 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: Hampshire , United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/elmgarden
Verified
Feb 2010
For Sale
793
Sold
5,637
Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns.
2 Large Antique Indian Terracotta Tent Pole Tops
Ref: SA1237531
Pair of painted Indian terracotta tent pole tops sculpted as expressive facial heads with moustaches and conical crowns.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectArchitectural Finials
  • Period19th century
  • StyleIndian Folk Art
  • MaterialTerracotta, Pigment
  • ColourYellow, Grey, Blue
  • MotifsStylized facial features, Pointed headgear, Protruding tongue, Curved moustache
  • SizeH 43 cm (17 in) x W 25 cm (10 in) x D 20 cm (8 in)

These 19th-century Indian folk art architectural finials are two large antique terracotta tent pole tops modelled as expressive human heads. The terracotta forms display painted polychrome pigment in yellow, grey, and blue, depicting stylized facial features, pointed conical headgear, protruding tongues, and curved moustaches. The surfaces show visible age wear, including surface cracking, chipping, and weathering to the painted finishes. Each piece measures 43 cm high, 25 cm wide, and 20 cm deep, offering a substantial display presence. Originally designed to sit on top of tents with small holes in the terracotta for smoke to escape, these decorative heads now function as striking sculptural accents for domestic interiors. They sit securely upon a flat surface such as a sideboard top, mantelpiece, or console table. The maximalist wonderland aesthetic suits eclectic living rooms, studies, or entrance halls where distinctive cultural objects serve as standalone conversation pieces. Their weathered textures and bold character integrate naturally into curated global displays.

FAQs

Traditionally crafted in regions such as Rajasthan, these terracotta tops served as decorative and functional finials for canvas tents, securing structural posts while displaying symbolic guardian imagery.

These objects were hand-moulded from local clay, fired in kilns, and decorated with natural mineral pigments, lime wash, and paint to highlight facial features and expressive details.

Authentic pieces exhibit natural surface weathering, layered pigment erosion, slight hand-crafting irregularities, and a hollow base constructed to mount onto wooden support poles.

Displaying these sculptures on a console table, bookshelf, or mantelpiece introduces distinctive texture, form, and historic craftsmanship into contemporary interior spaces.

Dust gently using a soft, dry brush or microfibre cloth, avoiding water and liquid cleansers that may destabilise remaining friable pigments on the porous terracotta surface.
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