Relief panel of the Trimurti, a triad of the Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, who represent the creative, preservative and destructive principles. The panel is carved in high-relief with a figure seated cross-legged and with palms joined together near the breast. The three faces turn to the front and to each side, their ribbed hair braided into three elaborate cone shapes with a lotus finial resting upon them. Except for the headgear, the sculpture is devoid of any other ornamentation or attribute. The upper torso of the image is bare, but the lower part of the body is clad. The hand and seating postures, as well as long earlobes, are notable for their Buddhist influence.
The exact provenance of this panel is uncertain. It was one of a series collected by Dr J. Anderson, who travelled through upper Burma in 1869 on the first British Expedition to Yunnan and bequeathed to his widow, Mrs G. S. Anderson. It has also been suggested that it could have originated in Eastern Bengal.
Physical description
The panel is carved in high-relief with a figure seated crossed legs in lotus position and two palms held joined together near the breast. The body is depicted with a paunch. The three faces turned to the front and to each side. The ribbed hair is braided into three elaborate cone shapes with a lotus finial resting upon them. Apart from the headgear, the sculpture is devoid of any ornamentation and attribute. The upper torso of the image is bare, but the lower part of the body is clad. The hand and seating postures as well as long ear-lobes are notable for their Buddhist influence.
Place of Origin
Burma (possibly, made)
Date
11th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Grey sandstone, with traces of yellow pigment
Dimensions
Height: 30.5 cm, Width: 22.2 cm base
Object history note
This sculpture is one of the series collected by Dr J. Anderson who travelled through upper Burma in 1869 on the first British Expedition to Yunnan. Bequeathed by Mrs G.S. Anderson.
Historical context note
Brahma comprises one of three major deties of the Hindu pantheon, Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. Brahma is depicted generally with four faces in accordance with the Hindu iconography.
Descriptive line
Relief panel with the figure of Trimurti. Carved grey sandstone with traces of yellow pigment. Probably Burmese. 11th century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Skelton, Robert and Mark Francis eds., Arts of Bengal, text by Robert Skelton, John Lowry, Andrew Topsfield, Veronica Murphy and Susan Stronge, London: Whitechapel Art Gallery 1979, p.28 no.23. ISBN 0 85488 047 X
Trimurti (?)
Eastern India/ 11th century
Grey Sandstone with traces of yellow pigment/ 30.5cm high
Trimurti was never a popular deity in India and its images are rare. Its iconography did not become as conventionalized as many of the others and therefore the identification of this piece of sculpture is uncertain. The central figure could be any of the three component deities but if the apex of the three heads here can be identified as a 'lingam' it would suggest that the central figure is Shiva. An alternative identification could be Mahesha but, because of the similarity of all three faces, this is less likely than trimurti.
See Banerjea [1956] pp.476.477.
Exhibition History
Arts of Bengal (Whitechapel Art Gallery 09/11/1979-30/12/1979)
Production Note
Possibly from the Mon capital of Thaton.
For almost identical pieces see G.H. Luce, "Old Burma: Early Pagan", vol. I, pp.210-213; vol. II, pp.183-184; vol. III, pl.416; also Chap. XVII, pp.352-353, and pp.240-251 where these images can clearly be seen in situ.
Stone figure of Brahma from the pedastal of "Myebon Tha - Paya, Pagan , Burma", now at the Pagan Museum: note from U. Bokay, Conservator & Curator, Archaeology Department, Pagan Museum, Burma.
Materials
Sandstone
Techniques
Carving
Subjects depicted
Hinduism
Categories
Sculpture; Hinduism
Collection code
SSEA
