Not currently on display at the V&A

Rama

Figure
1800-1850 (made)
Place of origin

Rama (or one of the brothers, possibly Bharata or Shatrughna), posed in the slightly flexed position of abhanga to hold a (missing) bow and arrow, with a quiver behind his right shoulder. It is cast in the "Ganga-Jumana" technique, with skin copper-coloured, with the costume and jewellery cast in brass. There is a large pierced siraschakra behind the head


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRama (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Copper alloy (Ganga-Jamuna technique cast in two metals)
Brief description
Rama (or one of his brothers, either Bharata or Shatrughna); sculpture, copper alloy and brass, South India, 1800-1850
Physical description
Rama (or one of the brothers, possibly Bharata or Shatrughna), posed in the slightly flexed position of abhanga to hold a (missing) bow and arrow, with a quiver behind his right shoulder. It is cast in the "Ganga-Jumana" technique, with skin copper-coloured, with the costume and jewellery cast in brass. There is a large pierced siraschakra behind the head
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.5cm
  • Weight: 542g
Object history
Transferred from the India Museum in London to the South Kensington Museum (now the V&A) in 1879. The India Museum Slip Book records this object coming from Col. MacKenzie, and identifies it as representing Shatrughna, Rama's half brother, with the other brother, Bharatta's name crossed out. However, in the 1880 museum register it is catalogued as Bharatta. It is now thought most likely to represent Rama himself.
Subjects depicted
Other number
368 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
Accession number
560(IS)

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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