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Unknown Maker, Indian

Vishu with His Consorts

Description

Maker

Unknown Maker, Indian

Culture

Indian

Title

Vishu with His Consorts
Carving of Vishnu with his Consorts

Year

ca. 1600s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

wood, polychromatic

Geography

Origin: India; Place Made: (Kerala)

Dimensions

88.9 x 139.7 x 10.2 cm (35 x 55 x 4 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Museum purchase: gift of the Museum Associates

Object Number

85.199

Type

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Being and Believing in the Natural World
Perspectives from the Ancient Mediterranean, Asia, and Indigenous North America
Oct 22, 2022 – Jun 04, 2023

Label copy

The Hindu god Vishnu takes on different forms to maintain order in the world, often accompanied by divine animals. Here an elaborate carving of Shesha, a seven-headed serpent, frames Vishnu, singing praises from his many mouths. For Hindus, serpents protect and nourish the underground realms.

The necklace in the case below features a blue- winged hybrid figure of the mythical Garuda bird and Vishnu adorned with jewels. The half-man and half-bird motif, popular for amulets, protects the wearer from illnesses connected with water and serpents. The ritual dagger features Hayagriva, a wrathful horse-headed being who can destroy demons. Hayagriva is one of Vishnu’s avatars.

—WC

Related Publications

Related Publications

  • Journal

Manual / Issue 18: Nature

 RISD Museum’s Manual 18 Celebrates Nature

In our [Chamoru] culture, inafa’maolek is our most important value. It roughly translates as “to make good for each other.” Inafa’maolek teaches us that all things are connected and related, including people, environments, and all species. Because all things are interwoven, we must always act with guinaiya and respetu, love and respect.  

–Craig Santos Perez, introduction

Manual 18 explores human interactions with the natural world, from frank awe and deep appreciation of the immediate moment to eternal questions and ancient unfinished business. This issue of Manual complements the exhibition Being and Believing in the Natural World, co-curated by Gina Borromeo, Wai Yee Chiong, and Sháńdíín Brown, on view at the RISD Museum now through May 7, 2023.

  • Digital Publication

Teaching Notes / Gods and Heroes

Gods and Heroes considers the significance of gods and heroes in ancient and modern times, from cultures including India, Greece, and China, while providing artistic, social, religious, and political contexts.

Use & Feedback

Image use

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This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Indian
Vishu with His Consorts; Carving of Vishnu with his Consorts, ca. 1600s
Wood and color pigments
88.9 x 139.7 x 10.2 cm (35 x 55 x 4 inches)
Museum purchase: gift of the Museum Associates 85.199

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