Brahma
Relief Panel
11th century (made)
11th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Relief panel of Brahma. Carved grey sandstone with traces of yellow pigment. 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 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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Brahma (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Grey sandstone, with traces of yellow pigment |
| Brief description | Relief panel with the figure of Brahma. Carved grey sandstone with traces of yellow pigment. Probably Burmese. 11th century. |
| 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. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | Brahma
1100–1200
Pagan period
Although the Burmese capital of Pagan was largely Buddhist,
Hindu temples do appear, as do Hindu deities. At the12th century
Myebontha Paya-hla temple there is a series of images
of the Hindu deity Brahma, set into the base of a monumental
Buddha throne. This sculpture appears to relate to that series.
Sandstone
Burma (Pagan)
Mrs G.S. Anderson Bequest
Museum no. IM.39-1917(14/06/2011) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs. Grace S. Anderson in memory of her husband John Anderson, M. D., C. E. O., F. R. S |
| Object history | 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 | 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. |
| Production | 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 vol. I, Chap. XVII, pp.352-353, and vol. III, pl.248-251 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. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Relief panel of Brahma. Carved grey sandstone with traces of yellow pigment. 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 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. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.39-1917 |
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| Record created | July 4, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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