A PAIR OF HARDWOOD POLYCHROME-PAINTED LACQUERED SOUTHERN INDIAN MARAPACHI DOLLS (MARAPACHI BOMMAIS)
Possibly Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, Southern India, 19th century

Carved in the round, paired as male and female, standing on a square pedestal with the arms stretched to the sides, polychrome-painted and lacquered, the male doll wearing a pair of thin short trousers and an elaborate gilt turban, his female counterpart wearing a worn purple velvet choli (top) and a pair of tight trousers, her black hair made of natural hair braided at the back, now missing their original clothing, accessories and paraphernalia, the tallest 55.5cm high.