Panel
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is one of series of carved teakwood ceiling panels with reliefs of various Hindu deities. They came from a temple hall demolished in 1874 in Cochin, south-west India. Such halls (‘mandapa’) were used for theatrical, dance and music performances within a temple compound.
This deeply carved and richly polychromed panel shows a seated figure of Vishnu in four-armed form. He is holding his conch (‘sangka’), discus (‘cakra’), club (‘gada’) and flower, with an honorific canopy provided by a five-hooded cobra (‘naga’).
Vishnu is richly bejewelled, wearing ‘makara’ ear-ornaments and a ‘kirttimukha’ (face of glory) clasp on his waist belt. The representation of Vishnu’s discus is unusual. Here it has assumed the form of a ‘yantra’ mandala.
This deeply carved and richly polychromed panel shows a seated figure of Vishnu in four-armed form. He is holding his conch (‘sangka’), discus (‘cakra’), club (‘gada’) and flower, with an honorific canopy provided by a five-hooded cobra (‘naga’).
Vishnu is richly bejewelled, wearing ‘makara’ ear-ornaments and a ‘kirttimukha’ (face of glory) clasp on his waist belt. The representation of Vishnu’s discus is unusual. Here it has assumed the form of a ‘yantra’ mandala.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved teak wood |
| Brief description | Ceiling panel depicting Vishnu, polychromed wood, Cochin, south-west India, 19th century |
| Physical description | Carved teak wood ceiling panel with reliefs of various Hindu deities. The highly sculputed frieze represents the history of the marriage of Rama. The panels came from the portico of a Pagoda in Cochin, demolished in 1874. The complete ceiling decoration consisting of individual panels measured 21ft 6in by 5 ft 6in. |
| Production | Kerala, south-west India |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | This is one of series of carved teakwood ceiling panels with reliefs of various Hindu deities. They came from a temple hall demolished in 1874 in Cochin, south-west India. Such halls (‘mandapa’) were used for theatrical, dance and music performances within a temple compound. This deeply carved and richly polychromed panel shows a seated figure of Vishnu in four-armed form. He is holding his conch (‘sangka’), discus (‘cakra’), club (‘gada’) and flower, with an honorific canopy provided by a five-hooded cobra (‘naga’). Vishnu is richly bejewelled, wearing ‘makara’ ear-ornaments and a ‘kirttimukha’ (face of glory) clasp on his waist belt. The representation of Vishnu’s discus is unusual. Here it has assumed the form of a ‘yantra’ mandala. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.2564D-1883 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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