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 panel shows Shiva, flanked by two representations of Nandi, the bull-calf. Here Shiva appears as a seated figure holding the axe and antelope, attributes he assumes as the divine hunter Kiratarjunamurti. S hiva's associations with hunting are ancient and link him to Rudra, the wild hunter. He presided over the forest animals and was given the title Pasupati, Lord of the Animals, an epithet later assumed by Shiva.
Kiratarjunamurti was favoured form of Shiva in the early period and appears in a 1st-century BC anthropomorphic linga (phallic symbol of Shiva) at Gudimallam. It was especially popular in south India.
This panel shows Shiva, flanked by two representations of Nandi, the bull-calf. Here Shiva appears as a seated figure holding the axe and antelope, attributes he assumes as the divine hunter Kiratarjunamurti. S hiva's associations with hunting are ancient and link him to Rudra, the wild hunter. He presided over the forest animals and was given the title Pasupati, Lord of the Animals, an epithet later assumed by Shiva.
Kiratarjunamurti was favoured form of Shiva in the early period and appears in a 1st-century BC anthropomorphic linga (phallic symbol of Shiva) at Gudimallam. It was especially popular in south India.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Polychromed wood |
Brief description | Ceiling panel depicting Shiva, 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 panel shows Shiva, flanked by two representations of Nandi, the bull-calf. Here Shiva appears as a seated figure holding the axe and antelope, attributes he assumes as the divine hunter Kiratarjunamurti. S hiva's associations with hunting are ancient and link him to Rudra, the wild hunter. He presided over the forest animals and was given the title Pasupati, Lord of the Animals, an epithet later assumed by Shiva. Kiratarjunamurti was favoured form of Shiva in the early period and appears in a 1st-century BC anthropomorphic linga (phallic symbol of Shiva) at Gudimallam. It was especially popular in south India. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | IS.2564A-1883 |
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Record created | March 27, 2003 |
Record URL |
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