Peacock feather whisker ('Morchal') thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Peacock feather whisker ('Morchal')

Peacock Feather Whisk ('Morchal')
19th century (Made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Murshidabad (Made)

A morchhal, or fan, of peacock feathers symbolises the king's role as protector of his people from sickness and malice and would be held aloft behind the ruler. Peacocks are symbols of royalty in India, the spread of the bird's feathers representing divine protection. Bound in the form of a quiver, peacock feathers represent a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva, one in which he carries a bow and is the destroyer of illness.


Object details

Categories
Ceremonial Objects
India Museum
Animals and Wildlife
Object type
Peacock feather whisk ('morchal')
TitlePeacock feather whisker ('Morchal') (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Peacock feathers
Peacock Feathers
Silver
Gold Wire
Silver Wire
Tinsel
Brief description
Regalia, peacock feather silver, Murshidabad
Physical description
'Morchal' is made mainly of bunched peacock feathers attached to a silver handle. The bunch of peacock feathers is tied with silver and gold wires and tinsel.
Dimensions
  • Length: 1160mm
  • Feathered end width: 280mm
  • Feathered end depth: 115mm
Summary
A morchhal, or fan, of peacock feathers symbolises the king's role as protector of his people from sickness and malice and would be held aloft behind the ruler. Peacocks are symbols of royalty in India, the spread of the bird's feathers representing divine protection. Bound in the form of a quiver, peacock feathers represent a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva, one in which he carries a bow and is the destroyer of illness.
Bibliographic references
  • 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.74
  • Jackson, Anna and Ji Wei (eds.) with Rosemary Crill, Ainsley M. Cameron and Nicholas Barnard, compiled by the Palace Museum, translated by Yuan Hong, Qi Yue and Liu Ran. The Splendour of India' Royal Courts : Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Beijing: the Forbidden City Publishing House, 2013. Text in English and Chinese. ISBN 9787513403917. pps.52 and 53
  • Skelton, Robert, et al, The Indian Heritage. Court life and Arts under Mughal Rule London: The Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982 p. 156, cat. no. 523, Susan Stronge
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
2488(IS)

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Record createdOctober 14, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O117656/peacock-feather-whisker-morchal-peacock-feather-whisk-unknown/
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