Erotic Ivory Plaque

Southern India, late 19th century

Height: 10 cm
Width: 5.8 cm
Depth: 0.9 cm

A carved and pierced erotic ivory plaque, finely carved in relief with a couple making passionate love on a bed with splayed feet festooned with garlands that hang from an elaborate cusped arch that frames the scene. The lady sits astride the man who supports his head on his arms as he looks into her face in ecstasy. The multi-tiered arch is supported by balusters and ornamented by makara finials on each side. The bed stands on a gadrooned platform. The bedchamber sits on a row of small balusters forming an openwork grill or window.

The ivory plaque has a tang above and two tangs below by which the plaque would have been slotted into a framework of similar plaques to form an erotic ivory bed-head.