Fragment
early 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a small fragment from what must have been a superb large pichhwai (hanging for a Krishna shrine). While hangings of this type are usually associated with the area around Nathadwara in Rajasthan, intricately drawn and dyed pichhwais like this one were also made in South-East India for followers of the Vallabhacharya sect in the Deccan. The masterly drawing and dyeing on this piece suggests that it was made in South-East India, in the area of modern-day Andhra Pradesh formerly known for its superb painted and dyed textiles made for export as well as the domestic market.
The complete hanging would have been about two metres high, and this fragment would have come from an area under the main field, which would almost certainly have shown Krishna in the centre flanked by gopis (cow-herd girls).
The complete hanging would have been about two metres high, and this fragment would have come from an area under the main field, which would almost certainly have shown Krishna in the centre flanked by gopis (cow-herd girls).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Painted, dyed and tinsel-printed cotton |
| Brief description | Fragment of a pichwai (hanging for a Krishna temple) in painted, dyed and tinsel-printed cotton, south-east India, early 19th century |
| Physical description | Fragment of a pichwai (hanging for a Krishna temple) in painted, dyed and tinsel-printed cotton. Showing scenes of Krishna, cows and cow-herds. Green ground with a design in red, violet, green, indigo, blue, natural cotton and gold. With Krishna and his brother Balarama enthroned in two pavilions in a rocky landscape flanked by flowering trees with parrots perched. To the right of the Krishna pavilion, three male worshippers perform Darshan. Lined up below the pavilions on the left is a procession of four gopis with pots on their heads. The centre has a flock of peacocks. On the right is a herd of five cows. An undulating line representing hills run along the bottom of the scene. Tufts of grass, some with flowers, are interspersed around the two pavilions and the flowering trees. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is a small fragment from what must have been a superb large pichhwai (hanging for a Krishna shrine). While hangings of this type are usually associated with the area around Nathadwara in Rajasthan, intricately drawn and dyed pichhwais like this one were also made in South-East India for followers of the Vallabhacharya sect in the Deccan. The masterly drawing and dyeing on this piece suggests that it was made in South-East India, in the area of modern-day Andhra Pradesh formerly known for its superb painted and dyed textiles made for export as well as the domestic market. The complete hanging would have been about two metres high, and this fragment would have come from an area under the main field, which would almost certainly have shown Krishna in the centre flanked by gopis (cow-herd girls). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.27-1983 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
