Maharao Kishor Singh of Kota Performs the Lamp-Waving Ceremony of Brijnathji the Night before Krishna's Birthday

Gallery 329, Asian Art, third floor (Lahiri Gallery)

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Maharao Kishor Singh of Kota Performs the Lamp-Waving Ceremony of Brijnathji the Night before Krishna's Birthday

c. 1830-1840

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

This painting is from a series that portrays Maharao Kishor Singh (ruled 1819–27) performing in one of the yearly festivals held for his personal deity, Brijrajji, a form of the god Krishna. Here Brijrajji is envisioned as a small, metal statue adorned with sumptuous pearl regalia and seated in a palace‑like altar. The king, shown as the god’s attendant, wears the simple garment and shaven head of a Brahman priest, retaining only his pearl necklaces and bangles as indicators of his royal rank. Ornaments and clothing, therefore, indicate that while both are royal, the god is the true ruler and the king his attendant.

Gallery 329, Asian Art, third floor (Lahiri Gallery)

Object Details

Title:

Maharao Kishor Singh of Kota Performs the Lamp-Waving Ceremony of Brijnathji the Night before Krishna's Birthday

Date:

c. 1830-1840

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver or tin on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 8 9/16 × 6 3/8 inches (21.7 × 16.2 cm) Sheet: 10 3/16 × 7 3/4 inches (25.9 × 19.7 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Gift of the Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1968

Accession Number:

1968-12-4

Geography:

Made in Kota, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Hada Chauhan Dynasty, Kota (1631-1948/1949?)

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Gallery 329, Asian Art, third floor (Lahiri Gallery)

Main Building

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