Jhar (Terracotta tree-shaped shrine) thumbnail 1
Jhar (Terracotta tree-shaped shrine) thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Jhar (Terracotta tree-shaped shrine)

Shrine
c.1978 (Made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Jhar: a terracotta tree shaped shrine used as a votive offer during worship of Manasa Devi, the goddess of snakes, on 'Naga Panchami' in July or August. Manasa is a sister of Vasuki, the king of Nagas (snakes) and one of the Astanagas. The shrine is supported on a round pedastal base which is elongated funnel shaped above, representing a boat. A male figure stands at the centre of the shrine under an arched niche. The garlanded male figure, probably the sage Jaratkaru, the husband of Manasa, stands crossed legged and has Vaishnavite mark on forehead. The arch is formed by a row of lotus buds, then a row of lotus in full bloom and on the outer edge a narrow flat border which is decorated with incised floral scroll. Twenty-four finials shaped as cobra hoods, moulded on to iron pegs, fit into holes on the outer border.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 25 parts.

  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Cobra Finial
  • Figure
TitleJhar (Terracotta tree-shaped shrine) (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted terracotta
Brief description
Terracotta tree-shaped shrine (jhar)
Physical description
Jhar: a terracotta tree shaped shrine used as a votive offer during worship of Manasa Devi, the goddess of snakes, on 'Naga Panchami' in July or August. Manasa is a sister of Vasuki, the king of Nagas (snakes) and one of the Astanagas. The shrine is supported on a round pedastal base which is elongated funnel shaped above, representing a boat. A male figure stands at the centre of the shrine under an arched niche. The garlanded male figure, probably the sage Jaratkaru, the husband of Manasa, stands crossed legged and has Vaishnavite mark on forehead. The arch is formed by a row of lotus buds, then a row of lotus in full bloom and on the outer edge a narrow flat border which is decorated with incised floral scroll. Twenty-four finials shaped as cobra hoods, moulded on to iron pegs, fit into holes on the outer border.
Dimensions
  • Height: 72.3cm
  • Width: 70cm
  • Approx. depth: 23cm
Object history
Purchased from Anthropos Gallery.
Production
Collected from the village of Panchmura, Bankura District
Subject depicted
Bibliographic references
  • Bussabarger, Robert and Betty Dashew Robins, Andrew Tau (photographer), The Everyday Art of India, New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1968, pp.38-41.
  • Arts of Bengal : the heritage of Bangladesh and eastern India : an exhibition organized by the Whitechapel Art Gallery in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum : 9 November-30 December 1979, Whitechapel Art Gallery ..., 12 January-17 February 1980, Manchester City Art Gallery ... . [London]: Whitechapel Art Gallery, [1979] Number: 085488047X (pbk.) : p.60
Collection
Accession number
IS.51:25-1979

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdNovember 19, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest