Wood jamb of a domestic shrine
Former TitlePilaster from a stupa
CultureIndian
Datelate 17th-early 18th century
MediumCarved wood with polycrome and gold leaf
DimensionsOverall: 4 × 43 inches (10.16 × 109.22 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust
Object number32-99/6
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThis narrow, vertical-oriented panel formed the left jamb of a small wooden shrine, likely a domestic shrime. The panel is carved in relief and decorated in polychrome with traces of gold leaf. The color scheme consists of the application of red ground, and decoration with white, black, green, yellow, and pink. There are multiple applications of paint on this panel, suggesting refurbishment, and traces of gold leaf are visible in areas.The program consists of a standing male figure at the base of the panel. He is wearing a white, patterned jama with a green sash and turban with a turban jewel. He holds a yellow pot (kalasa or lota). He has a red tilak mark, which may point to his sectarian identity. While many elaborate domestic shrines were created in Jain households, this could be a panel from a Hindu home shrine.This figure is a devotee and is likely the patron of the shrine, perhaps the home owner who commissioned the shrine. Compressed layers of carvings representing architectural registers rise above him. Tenons project from the top and bottom of the panel, indicating that the panel fit into mortises in a larger framework.Provenance
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