Merry Christmas from everyone at The Great Eastern Home

Merry Christmas everyone

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A glimpse of The Grand Trunk Show at Bengaluru

A quick chat about The Grand Trunk Show with Dr. Anurag Kanoria

A quick chat with Anurag Kanoria of The Great Eastern Home about the upcoming Grand Trunk Show in exclusive association with the Taj Khazana at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.

The Grand Trunk Show is gaining quite a following of its own now…
We had a triumphant opening show at the Taj Falaknuma, then at the Taj in Delhi. This is the third Show, and two more are scheduled…

What is the plan for The Grand Trunk Show at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai?
Of course, this particular location makes it a different world of lavish. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel has a fantastic history, not the least being the very first hotel of what is now a world-renowned chain. In the manner of The Grand Trunk Show, the displays will be throughout the entire property. The show starts, so to speak, at the lobby of the Taj Towers and it will occupy key spaces all way through to and in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel: in the corridor to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the area along the swimming pool, the grand staircase under the historic dome, the corridor opposite to the Sea Lounge, the entire corridor flanking the Crystal Rooms and the atria space off this celebrated corridor. All the pieces will be located at historic spots, including a couple of showplaces like the famous ones that feature the collection of photographs of the international luminaries who have been guests of The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel since 1903.

That’s quite a spread…
Over 20 ‘stations’ across the length of 150 glorious, celebrated, historic floor space. It will be something to see… unique, a first-ever, and a thrilling display of fine art, furniture, antiques and artifacts.

What’s next for The Grand Trunk Show?
For one, it will always happen in an exclusive association with the Khazana. The Khazana itself has an illustrious history, and with its re-opening at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, we are delighted to be associated with it. Right in the next two months, Khazana and The Great Eastern Home will have The Grand Trunk Show at the Taj Chennai and Bengaluru. That makes for a fabulous opening season: Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru and you can anticipate more of these fabulous events, in exclusive association with the Taj Khazana of course, in quick order all through 2015.

Invitation-The-Grand-Trunk-Show

# The Duke of Buckingham’s State Howdah

The Grand Trunk Show. in association with the Taj Khazana, is a grand affair presenting a breath-taking collection of fine furniture, antiques and artifacts. Since the Mumbai show is just round the corner. we thought of giving you a peek into what is in store in the signature collection. These pieces are extremely rare objects, that are highly valued by collectors today and their presence alone is electrifying!

The Howdah was built to mark the victory of the East India Company during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, which was followed by the institution of direct rule by the British Crown in place of the East India Company administration. After declaring sovereignty, the Raj undertook a complete reconstruction of hierarchy. In 1858, the Duke of Buckingham was appointed as the Governor of Madras and this is one of the original five Howdahs’ commissioned for ceremonial use in the state and the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi.

A Howdah is usually a boat shaped seating arrangement for riding on the back of an elephant or camel. This one is built in an Anglo-Indian style by the Simpson & Company in the year 1858. The handles have two tigers seated on the top. The front side has a British insignia on a lion and a horse surmounted by foliage engraved on it. The Howdah stands on four stylized fish shaped legs and is outlined with a supportive metal ring around it.

This is going to be one of the first ‘Signature Pieces’ that you are going to come across at The Grand Trunk Show at the Taj Palace in Mumbai. Come visit. Download your invitation at www.thegreateasternhome.com.

Save the Date – Just four days to go for The Grand Trunk Show

Block your calender – The Grand Trunk Show

18th century’s erotic sculpture

The liberal representations of amorous couples sculpted on temple walls or monuments in early and medieval India were considered important in terms of the  religious iconography of that era. There are many theories about the reason for the presence of such explicit carvings, of which one plausible reason is to ward off evil. Another school of thought believes that Tantrism may have influenced eroticism in art.

Today, we are featuring a 18^th century sculpture of a divine couple standing in an erotic posture on a pedestal. They are flanked by a stylized plant on their right side and it is sculpted out of black colored wood. Though age has cost the sculpture; it still holds its own as a worthy piece of art.

There is no doubt, of course, that the Indian sculptors exhibit an intensely sensuous awareness of life through their artwork. The spatial positioning and the remarkable detail of the execution of such pieces of art can fill you with wonder. Come visit and have a look at these pieces before they are snapped up.  You can reach us at www.thegreateasternhome.com.

Sculpture of a dancer (18th century)

The art of dancing in our country originated as means of pleasing gods and goddesses. Every step, every movement and gesture is an expression of the spiritual. So powerful, indeed, is the religious motivation that our dance has for long been regarded as a divine art meant to portray only the highest and the purest form of sentiments.

The sculpture displayed above is of a female dancer posing on a pedestal that is double bordered with lotus petals. The lady appears poised with a subtle smile on her face. Her eyebrows are neatly trimmed and there is a decorative halo sculpted behind her head. She is draped in a beautiful garment with decorative folds and heavily dressed with ornaments which include mang-tikka on her forehead, earrings, necklace, armlets, bangles and thick anklets on her feet.

The expressive art form in the later periods also became a favorite form of entertainment in the courts and palaces and thereby formed an integral part of splendorous royalty. Not only were the dancers patronized by the kings, but as an art it was also practiced by ladies belonging to the royal and aristocratic families.

It is an ecstatic feeling for an antiques lover to view an artifact from up close. The Great Eastern Home gives its visitors full freedom to savour each piece in its vast collection for as long as they would like to. You can always reach us at www.thegreateasternhome.com. to plan your visit.

Sculpture of Yali and its rider

A strong tradition and expertise in sculpture is one of India’s long-standing glories and one of our strongest claims to eminence in the domain of art. Surviving artifacts, spanning many centuries, are incontestable evidence of the creative imagination and skill of Indian artisans.

The 18th century Rajasthani sculpture featured today, 46 cms, in height and 34 cms in breadth, rendered in  high relief, is that of a rider seated on the back of a passant lion headed-horse. The mythical creature is called Yali which is commonly seen in Hindu temples, often sculpted onto pillars. They are also depicted as part elephant, horse and lion.

Rajasthan is one state that has always been known for possessing one of the most exotic forms of art and crafts. The Great Eastern Home includes a number of noteworthy Rajasthani pieces of stylized wooden sculptures (some of which have already been featured on this blog). Come visit us …. hours will pass effortlessly as you make your way through our many collections. Plan your visit at www.thegreateasternhome.com.

Sculpture of a lady and Shivling (18th century)

Pictured above is a wooden sculpture, in high relief, of a lady worshiping the Shivling placed on a pedestal that is double bordered with lotus leaves. The sculpture may be cracked at some places but a keen eye would tell you much more than that. The ‘lingam’ is a representation of the Hindu deity, Shiva, and is the object of worship in temples. The Shaivaites, especially the women, consider it sacred and visit Shiv temples to perform puja every Monday. This 18^th century sculpture from Rajasthan is one among many gems on display (and available if you’d like to buy it)  at The Great Eastern Home, Byculla showroom. You can always reach us at www.thegreateasternhome.com to plan your visit.

Size of this piece: 36 cms height, 22 cms breadth.

Lord Vishnu’s sculpture (18th century)

Sculpture is a favored medium of artistic expression on the Indian subcontinent. The tradition of Indian sculpture extends from the Indus Valley civilization of 2500 to 1800 BCE. As a record of history, sculpture is extremely valuable for the information it can provide about the development of a culture.

The Great Eastern Home displays an 18^th century Rajasthani sculpture of Lord Vishnu dancing with a damaru (small two-headed drum) in his forearms.  The figure is graceful, slender and has supple limbs; but there is an almost complete suppression of individuality. This is because the figures are conceived of as shapes that are more perfect than anything to be found in the merely transitory appearance of human models. For instance, the multiple heads and arms of Hindu divinities were thought necessary to display the manifold attributes of these gods’ many powers.

The sculpture pictured above has been defaced and damaged with age but is definitely worth a look. We are open 365 days in a year so picking a day to visit us is easy. You may reach us at www.thegreateasternhome.com.