Matsya and Rama Avatars (outward-facing side); Shiva's Family in the Himalayas (inward-facing side)

Currently not on view

Matsya and Rama Avatars (outward-facing side); Shiva's Family in the Himalayas (inward-facing side)

18th or 19th century

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Both sides of this wooden book cover are richly painted. The outward-facing side (distinguished by its beveled edges) depicts two of the ten avatars, or earthly incarnations, of the god Vishnu. On the left is Matsya (the fish), whose task was to destroy a conch demon terrorizing the primordial oceans; on the right is Rama, the heroic archer-king of the epic Ramayana. The reverse shows the god Shiva wandering and relaxing with his family in his Himalayan mountain homeland.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Matsya and Rama Avatars (outward-facing side); Shiva's Family in the Himalayas (inward-facing side)
Manuscript cover

Date:

18th or 19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor on wood

Dimensions:

5 1/4 x 11 3/4 inches (13.3 x 29.8 cm)

Classification:

Books/Manuscripts/Information Artifacts

Credit Line:

Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994

Accession Number:

1994-148-514

Geography:

Made in India, Asia Possibly made in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia

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Currently not on view