Unusual Collection of Eight Eastern Indian Carved Ivory Erotic Panels

An Unusual Collection of Eight Eastern Indian Carved Ivory Erotic Panels Depicting Hindu Sexo-Yogic Postures Two showing Portuguese Merchants
All with finely detailed interiors one containing a European Style Armchair
Probably from Orissa
The panels perhaps from a Box or Cabinet
Late 18th – Early 19th Century

Size: 10cm high, 7.5cm wide (max) - 4 ins high, 3 ins wide (max) and 7.5cm high, 10.5cm wide (max) - 3 ins high, 4¼ ins wide (max)

Provenance:
Ex English Private collection

CITES permit: 2025/BE00992/CE

cf: The 13th century Hindu Temple of Konarak in Orissa has sculptures representing ‘Yoni-Ásana’
A 19th century Orissa manuscript in ink on paper illustrates a series of postures to enhance the act of love. The Oriental Institute Baroda

In Hinduism sex is almost sacramental, essential to life and therefore worthy of serious study. There is a total absence of any sense of sexual guilt or sin, and sexual excitement is held to be evidence of the divine energy in man. Hindu tantra uses the imagery of pleasure as a mechanism for enhancing enjoyment in the direction of ecstasy. Sex to evoke great delight needs to be skilfully performed and many illustrated handbooks of posture and technique have been produced in India. These ivory plaques are most probably inspired by such a book or illustrated manuscript.