Rama

Currently not on view

Rama

c. 975

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Rama—great hero, ideal king, and one of the ten avatars of the god Vishnu—is the protagonist of the Ramayana, a popular Hindu religious text. In this processional image, Rama’s hands are placed to hold a bow (now missing); it is with a bow and arrow that he kills his nemesis, the evil demon king Ravana. The temple hall in which this sculpture stands incorporates many images of Rama, including eight relief slabs (placed around the inside of the hall just below the ceiling) that once formed part of a much larger series that tells the full story of the Ramayana.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Rama
For use in a procession

Date:

c. 975

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Copper alloy

Dimensions:

32 × 14 3/4 × 10 inches (81.3 × 37.5 × 25.4 cm) Weight: 86 lbs

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Purchased with the W. P. Wilstach Fund, the John D. McIlhenny Fund, and with funds contributed by the Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in honor of their 100th anniversary, 1982

Accession Number:

W1982-106-1

Geography:

Made in Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Chola Dynasty (c. 800-1300) Period: Medieval Period (c. 600 - c. 1300)

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Currently not on view