Torana with Garuda attacking a Naga and a Nagini
Shrine Back
1550-1600 (made)
1550-1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This relief would have formed a decorative panel (torana) above an entrance to a temple or above a large metal image of a deity itself. The Garuda, half man and half eagle, is a favourite subject in Nepalese art, and is traditionally represented engaged in mortal combat with its natural enemies, the water spirits or nagas. The group with its flamboyant open scroll work shows the skill of the Newari metal workers of the Kathmandu Valley at their best.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Title | Torana with Garuda attacking a Naga and a Nagini (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Repoussé copper, with gilding and paint, set with turquoise, rock crystal and semi-precious stones |
| Brief description | Torana with a Garuda attacking a Naga and a Nagini, repousse copper with gilding and paint, set with turquoise, rock crystal and semi-precious stones, Nepal, 1550-1600, Malla period |
| Physical description | TORANA WITH GARUDA ATTACKING A NAGA AND NAGINI: These reliefs would have been found in the central motif to a decorative panel (torana) above an entrance to a temple or above a large metal image itself. The Torana (overpiece) is in thrre parts. The central figure of a flying Garuda, who holds in his claws the leg of a floating Naga and Nagini. The lateer are overshadowed by three-headed Cobras: they have each four arms. With one hand each grasps a leg of the Garuda, with two hands they hold jewel-symbols and with the fourth they make the Abhays mudra before the breast. Around them is rich foliate ornaments partly in openwork. |
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| Gallery label |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This relief would have formed a decorative panel (torana) above an entrance to a temple or above a large metal image of a deity itself. The Garuda, half man and half eagle, is a favourite subject in Nepalese art, and is traditionally represented engaged in mortal combat with its natural enemies, the water spirits or nagas. The group with its flamboyant open scroll work shows the skill of the Newari metal workers of the Kathmandu Valley at their best. |
| Bibliographic reference | PUBLISHED, G. Beguin, Dieux et Demons de l'Himalaya, Paris, Musees Nationaux, 1977, cat. no.95 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.142 to B-1926 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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