Large Golden Kinnal Head Sculpture - Woman

The Story

A Kinnal head is a face rather than a whole figure. This one is a woman's, finished in gold, and it belongs to a small new collection for Handmade Tales. We haven't worked in this craft or at this size before. A head takes up less room than a full sculpture but tends to hold your attention longer, which is really the point of it.

Crafted by Hand

This is Kinnal craft, also spelled Kinhal or Kinnala. It comes from Kinhal village in the Koppal district of Karnataka, where families known as chitragars have carved and painted since the 15th and 16th centuries, first under the Vijayanagara court and later the Nawabs of Koppal. The craft holds a Geographical Indication and only a small number of families still practise it. Pieces are carved from a light local wood, built up with a base coat of tamarind seed and crushed stone, then painted in the strong colour and high gloss the tradition is known for. On this piece that finish is gold.

Designed for Modern Living

At this size the head works as the main thing on a console table, a mantel, or the top of a bookshelf. Put it somewhere people see it straight on rather than from the side. On its stand it reaches 17 inches, which puts it close to eye level in most rooms. Gold picks up light in a way a matte finish doesn't, so it does more near a window or a lamp than it will in a dim corner.

Why You'll Love It
A head rather than a full figure, which makes it a different kind of piece for a shelf, console, bookcase or entryway
A hand-applied gold finish that shifts as the light changes through the day
Part of a small new collection, our first release in this craft and format
Complete on its own. This is a single head, not half of a set
Small batch and hand-finished, so no two are painted quite alike
Works as a talking point without needing any explanation.

Craft / Art Form: Kinnal (Kinhal) craft, Karnataka
Material: carved wood, hand-painted and gilded finish
Dimensions: 9in H x 9in W x 8in D (head alone); 17in H including stand
Color: Gold
Origin: Koppal District, Karnataka, India
Handmade by: Kinnal artisan families (chitragars)
Quantity: 1 head
Weight: 2 Kg

Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Keep out of direct, prolonged sunlight to protect the paint and finish. Avoid water and household cleaners on painted or gilded areas.

This product is made to order & can not be returned or exchanged.
If you do change your mind we accept cancellation within 24 hours of placing order.