An impressive late 18th century (1780-1800) South Indian (Tamil Nadu) polychrome wooden sculpture. Depicting the 9th century Tamil poet and Saint Manikkavacakar. On a modern dark metal veneered base. Manikkavacakar was a 9th-century Tamil poet who wrote Tiruvasakam, a book of Shaiva hymns. He was one of the main authors of Saivite Tirumurai, his work forms volume eight of the Tirumurai, the key religious text of Tamil language Shaiva Siddhanta. A minister to the Pandya king Varagunavarman II (c. 862 CE–885 CE), he lived in Madurai.