Ceremonial Cover (Rumal) Depicting the Rasalila

Currently not on view

Ceremonial Cover (Rumal) Depicting the Rasalila

c. Late 19th century

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

The Gita Govinda, a love poem written in the ancient Indic language Sanskrit, was often used as a source for the embroidered decoration on rumals from the Chamba Valley. The poem's description of a rasamandala, or circle dance, was especially appealing in that it allowed the embroiderer great scope in design. When compared with other rumals depicting rasamandalas, this cover stands out as being particularly unusual and imaginative in its presentation: the circular form of the dance is reflected in the shape of the cloth, while the four figures of the god Krishna and the four gopis (cowherdesses) are dressed in colorful and elaborately detailed costumes and jewelry.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Ceremonial Cover (Rumal) Depicting the Rasalila

Date:

c. Late 19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Cotton plain weave with silk embroidery

Dimensions:

Diameter: 27 inches (68.6 cm)

Classification:

Textiles

Credit Line:

Purchased with funds contributed by Ann McPhail and Marion Boulton Stroud, 1991

Accession Number:

1991-48-1

Geography:

Made in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia

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Currently not on view