Indian Wood Bracket or Shelf

A dense carved block swarms with animal forms and a pointed snout.

This carved and painted teak bracket or shelf is from Gujarat, India, and dates to the early 20th century. It is carved & painted teak wood. Carved wooden brackets are a feature of traditional Gujarati architecture, where they support balconies, eaves and shelves and carry decoration. A small rectangular block in reddish-brown, carved all over with layered, twisting forms. A raised pointed head sits at the center, the edges are stepped, and the surface is dark, worn, and cracked in places. It is 5.5 inches wide, 6 deep and 6 high.

Overcrowded, intricate, and clearly not in a hurry.