The Blue Trunk, Mumbai (2026)

02/04/2026

On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, we find ourselves revisiting a figure who has travelled through centuries of Indian visual culture, Hanuman. Few characters from the Ramayana have inspired artists, craftsmen and printers across India in quite the same way.

Across regions and artistic traditions, Hanuman has been imagined and reimagined in fascinating ways. In some works he appears in dramatic motion, recalling the famous episode of carrying the Sanjeevani mountain. In others he is shown in quiet devotion before Rama, a visual theme that became central to devotional imagery across the subcontinent.

What makes these objects especially compelling today is not just the mythology they represent, but the artistic language they carry. Each artefact reflects the materials, techniques and aesthetic sensibilities of its time. Whether expressed through painting, printmaking or sculpture, they reveal how generations of artisans interpreted a shared cultural story.

At The Blue Trunk, we often look at such pieces beyond their devotional context. They are equally important as cultural artefacts that document the evolution of Indian art, craftsmanship and visual storytelling.

Sharing a few Hanuman themed pieces from our collection today, each one offering its own glimpse into this long and fascinating artistic tradition.

10/02/2026

: : Vintage Chariot Panel - Lord Rama : :
Dimensions of Panel: 13.5 in(H) x 8 in(L)
Andhra Pradesh
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A vintage wooden temple chariot panel, likely depicting Lord Rama holding his bow, crowned and adorned in elaborate jewellery, framed by a sacred prabhavali. Once part of a South Indian ratha used during temple processions, such carvings were designed to be bold and legible from a distance — celebrating Rama as the embodiment of dharma and divine kingship.

The softened detailing and natural patina speak to years of ritual use and outdoor exposure, carrying with them the quiet dignity of lived devotion.
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04/02/2026

: : Vintage Camphor Aarti Lamp : :
Dimensions : 8 in(H) x 9 in(L)
Andhra Pradesh
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This vintage circular camphor aarti lamp is a traditional Indian devotional object, crafted for ritual use during temple and household worship. Designed with seven raised wick holders, the lamp was originally used for burning camphor as part of aarti ceremonies, where light is offered as a symbol of purification, protection, and divine presence.

Multi-wick lamps such as this hold special significance in Indian tradition, as the radiance of multiple flames represents the triumph of light over darkness and is believed to invoke auspicious energy within sacred spaces.

The piece features an elegant symmetrical form and finely worked detailing, reflecting the enduring craftsmanship of vintage Indian metalware. While deeply rooted in ritual practice, it also functions beautifully today as an antique-style candle holder or a distinctive display object.

A meaningful addition for collectors and interiors seeking authentic Indian antiques, traditional artefacts, and devotional vintage décor.
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26/01/2026

: : Vintage Chariot Panel - Vishnu and Garuda : :
Dimensions of Panel: 14 in(H) x 7 in(L)
Telengana
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This vintage wooden chariot panel depicts Lord Vishnu seated on Garuda, his celestial mount, rendered in a composition traditionally associated with South Indian temple architecture and festival processional art. The panel originates from an old temple chariot (ratha), structures used to carry resident deities during annual temple festivals and ceremonial processions.

The carving presents Vishnu in a formal, frontal posture, with Garuda shown in a dynamic supporting stance, emphasizing movement and devotion. Such imagery symbolises Vishnu’s role as the preserver of cosmic order and Garuda’s function as both vehicle and devoted attendant. Panels of this kind were designed to be read from a distance during processions, resulting in bold forms, clear iconographic attributes, and rhythmic carving rather than excessive surface refinement.

The surface of the panel displays age-related wear, softened detailing, and a natural patina, consistent with prolonged outdoor use, ritual handling, and exposure over time. These characteristics are intrinsic to authentic temple chariot fragments and provide material evidence of the object’s original function.
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23/01/2026

: : Vintage Ravi Varma Chromolithograph Nataraja : :
15 inches x 11 inches frame
Tamil Nadu
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This rare vintage Ravi Varma chromolithograph of Nataraj captures one of the most iconic depictions of Shiva — the cosmic dancer in motion, balancing creation and destruction with effortless grace. Even after a century, the artwork holds an energy that feels alive, with the classic Ravi Varma detailing that makes his devotional prints so universally loved.

Printed in the early 20th century, this oleograph has the gentle softness and colour tonality typical of original period chromolithographs. The ageing is natural and reassuring — the kind that tells you the piece has been preserved with care, without losing its character or depth.

The artwork comes in its original wooden frame, which adds to its charm and authenticity. The frame shows expected signs of age but remains strong and true to its time, offering the artwork the dignity of being seen just as it would have been displayed generations ago.
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22/01/2026

: : Vintage Reverse Glass Painting - Lady playing Veena : :
21 inches x 15 inches frame
Karnataka
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This vintage reverse glass painting depicts a seated female figure playing the veena, a stringed instrument closely associated with classical music, learning, and cultivated accomplishment in South Indian cultural traditions. The figure is rendered in a composed posture, with stylised facial features and a controlled, balanced stance characteristic of regional pictorial conventions.

The veena is shown with a yali finial at its terminal end. The yali, a composite mythical creature widely used in South Indian temple architecture and decorative arts, functions symbolically as a protective and auspicious motif. Its inclusion reflects the integration of architectural and sculptural symbolism into two-dimensional devotional and secular imagery.

The work is executed using the reverse glass painting technique, in which pigments are applied to the reverse side of the glass surface. This method produces a smooth, luminous finish and was commonly used in South India from the late 19th century onward for both religious and genre subjects. The colour palette remains stable, and minor surface characteristics are consistent with age and traditional manufacture.

The painting serves as a visual document of regional artistic practice and the representation of music and femininity within South Indian visual culture.
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31/12/2025

As this year comes to a close, I feel deeply grateful. Grateful for the stories, the hands that shaped them, and for those of you who chose to pause, look closely, and care.

The Blue Trunk has always been about more than objects, it’s about memory, craft, time and more. Thank you for your trust, your conversations, and for supporting living crafts and old stories from Indian culture.

Wishing everyone a new year filled with warmth, meaning, and moments that feel truly your own.

Here’s to slowing down, choosing meaning over noise, and keeping these stories alive, together.

You’ll find a few quiet year-end additions if you choose to swipe.

With warmth and gratitude,
Ujval Anand

12/12/2025

: : Vintage Hand Turned Wooden Box : :
Dimensions: 5 in (L), 3 in(H)
Uttar Pradesh
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This vintage wooden box is a beautiful example of traditional Indian turning work, shaped in an unusual inverted elliptical form that immediately sets it apart. Its smooth contours come from skilled hand-turning, a craft that requires both precision and patience.

What truly elevates this piece, though, is the delicate chisel work that covers its entire outer surface. Finely carved floral motifs wrap around the box in a continuous, almost rhythmic pattern — the kind of detailing that only emerges from hours of focused, practiced craftsmanship. The work is intricate yet balanced, giving the box a refined presence without feeling ornate.

Whether used as a small storage piece, a collector’s object, or simply a decorative accent, it carries both beauty and a quiet sense of the hands that shaped it decades ago.
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- Comes with a certificate of vintage authenticity
- Please check dimensions for size
- To purchase, DM us or visit www.thebluetrunk.in
- No returns
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02/11/2025

: : Vintage Shiva Mukhalingam : :
Dimensions(including frame): 13 cm (Length), 23 cm (Height), 15 cm (Max. Diameter)
Karnataka
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This vintage Shiva Mukhalingam from Karnataka features fine repousse work typical of traditional South Indian metalcraft. The face of Shiva is rendered with deep-set eyes, a pronounced nose, and a rounded moustache, framed by an ornate crown. A third eye marks the forehead, symbolising divine perception. The piece is surmounted by a detachable five-headed Naga, detailed with patterned scales and expressive faces. The Mukhalingam reflects skilled metalworking and religious symbolism, representing both artistic precision and devotional craftsmanship.
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- Comes with a certificate of vintage authenticity
- Please check dimensions for size
- To purchase, DM us or visit www.thebluetrunk.in
- No returns
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26/10/2025

: : Antique Steel Cut Engraving - Monea or Maner(in Bihar) : :
Dimensions(including frame): 9 in (L), 8 in (H)
Delhi
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An antique steel cut engraving depicting a view of “Monea” in India, created by the artist P. Borniger. Produced in the mid-19th century and published by the Bibliographic Institute in Hildburghausen as part of Meyer’s Universum, this print reflects the era’s European fascination with India’s architectural and cultural heritage. The composition typically features temple ruins and surrounding landscapes, with small human figures adding a sense of scale and atmosphere.

The scene is believed to represent the historic site of Maner in Bihar, home to the tomb of Makhdum Shah Daulet, a 17th-century Sufi monument built in 1616. A fine example of 19th-century travel engraving, it captures both the artistic precision and romantic sensibility that characterized European depictions of the Indian subcontinent. The print remains in very good condition, mounted on an off-white backing and presented in a contrasting black frame that enhances its period character.
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- Comes with a certificate of vintage authenticity
- Please check dimensions for size
- To purchase, DM us or visit www.thebluetrunk.in
- No returns
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20/10/2025

: : Vintage Kavara Villaku : :
Dimensions: Height/Length/Width - 11/16/5 inches
Kerala
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As we celebrate Diwali — the festival of light, abundance, and renewal — here’s a piece that beautifully embodies that spirit.

This vintage bronze Kavara Vilakku, a lost-wax cast three-branch oil lamp from Kerala, carries the essence of that light. Each branch holds a circular oil reservoir designed for multiple wicks, crowned with stylized Kalasam finials — symbols of abundance and the source of life in Vedic tradition.

There’s a historical perspective suggesting that this three-branch form may have drawn inspiration from the Jewish community in Kerala and the Menorah, a multi-branched candelabra central to Judaic ritual. A beautiful reminder of how cultural threads intertwine, shaping the stories of light we continue to celebrate.

Wishing you a Diwali filled with quiet joy, soft light, and moments that feel truly yours. May the glow linger long after the diyas fade.
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- Comes with a certificate of vintage authenticity
- To purchase, DM us or visit www.thebluetrunk.in
- Please check dimensions for size
- No returns
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07/10/2025

: : Vintage Steelcut Engraving - Benares : :
Dimensions(including frame): 12 in (L), 10 in (H)
Delhi
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This 19th-century steel-cut engraving transports you to the ghats of Benares (now Varanasi)—India’s eternal city and spiritual heart. At its center stands the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and among the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. This original print is taken from Meyer’s Universum, published in Germany around 1850. This monumental series—conceived by Joseph Meyer (1796–1856), a pioneering German publisher and industrialist—brought the world to European drawing rooms through finely detailed steel engravings.

Executed in the exacting steel-engraving technique prized for its precision and permanence, this piece captures both the architectural splendour and the sacred rhythm of life along the Ganges. Elegantly mounted on an off-white background and set in a sleek black frame, it stands as a rare collectible—where artistry, faith, and history converge in timeless harmony.
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- Comes with a certificate of vintage authenticity
- To purchase, DM us or visit www.thebluetrunk.in
- Please check dimensions for size
- No returns
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The Blue Trunk

02/04/2026

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