Vithoba
Vithoba
14th century (made)
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.
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 |
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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 |
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Gallery label |
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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 created | October 4, 2001 |
Record URL |
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