Vithoba thumbnail 1
Not on display

Vithoba

Vithoba
14th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

An upright standing figure with hands held at hips, the left holding a conch; the right with open palm facing outwards. The figure wears a high conical headdress and a sash tied with large protruding bows at the hips. Other details include makara-kundala ear-pendants, and necklaces formerly inlaid with silver or precious stones (now missing). The eyes were also similarly inlaid with remnants of red lac still apparent. On the front of the rectangular, stepped base is a small coiled cobra. This form of Vishnu is associated with the temple at Pandharpur in southern Maharashtra, formerly part of the Bombay Presidency. His name literally means 'standing on a brick', a reference to the legend associated with him. The image shows considerable wear.

This image is a domestic version of the well-known Vithoba image at Pandharpur, the most popular deity in southern Maharashtra, also known as the Vitthali of Pandharur, the local name of the cult being Varkari-Sampradaya.

Brahmanical deities are often given local associations in rural India, as with this image of Vishnu represented in two-armed guise. Vishnu in this form is known as Pandharinatha, protector of the town of that name, and in this context can aslo be referred to as Vitthala.

Object details

Object type
Titles
  • Vithoba (generic title)
  • Vitthali (generic title)
Materials and techniques
copper alloy, cast, dark brass colour
Brief description
Figure depicting Vithoba, as an aspect of Vishnu, copper alloy, Maharashtra, 1775-1850
Physical description
An upright standing figure with hands held at hips, the left holding a conch; the right with open palm facing outwards. The figure wears a high conical headdress and a sash tied with large protruding bows at the hips. Other details include makara-kundala ear-pendants, and necklaces formerly inlaid with silver or precious stones (now missing). The eyes were also similarly inlaid with remnants of red lac still apparent. On the front of the rectangular, stepped base is a small coiled cobra. This form of Vishnu is associated with the temple at Pandharpur in southern Maharashtra, formerly part of the Bombay Presidency. His name literally means 'standing on a brick', a reference to the legend associated with him. The image shows considerable wear.

This image is a domestic version of the well-known Vithoba image at Pandharpur, the most popular deity in southern Maharashtra, also known as the Vitthali of Pandharur, the local name of the cult being Varkari-Sampradaya.

Brahmanical deities are often given local associations in rural India, as with this image of Vishnu represented in two-armed guise. Vishnu in this form is known as Pandharinatha, protector of the town of that name, and in this context can aslo be referred to as Vitthala.
Dimensions
  • Height: 24.5cm
Gallery label
(25/09/2000)
VISNU IN LOCAL FORM
AS PANDHARINATHA
Copper alloy
Probably made at
Pandharpur, Sholapur
District
Maharshtra, Western India
18th-19th century

IM.226-1920
Credit line
Purchased from Mrs. Syvnos (per Miss Paton), 49 Lexham Gardens, S.W.7
Object history
From Pandharpur the ancient Pandharpura, Sholapur District, in the Bombay Presidency. It was probably from an important shrine, circa 14th Century.
Purchased from Mrs. Syvnos in Turkey.

Purchased from Mrs. Syvnos (per Miss Paton), 49 Lexham Gardens, S.W.7. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

R.P. 192-6709
Subject depicted
Bibliographic reference
M.S.Mate, Temples and legends of Maharashtra, Bombay, 1962, pp. 188-219.
Collection
Accession number
IM.226-1920

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Record createdOctober 4, 2001
Record URL
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