back to overview
 
97 photos
Iskandar (Alexander the Great) meeting the Brahmans. A miniature painting from an eighteenth century manuscript of the latter half of the epic poem of Shahnama. India, 1719. Shelfmark: Add.18804 Page Folio Number: f.117v
#03040159

Iskandar (Alexander the Great) meeting the Brahmans. A miniature painting from a...

The Five-faced Shiva Gouache on paper; Mandi, India; ca. 1730-1740 26.6 cm x18.2 cm Museum Number: IS.239-1952
#03040167

The Five-faced Shiva Gouache on paper; Mandi, India; ca. 1730-1740 26.6 cm x18...

Sandstone stele depicting Matsya, Indian, 9th CE. The Hindu god Vishnu is a preserver and maintainer of order in the universe. In times of spiritual and political decline, Vishnu descends on earth in an incarnation. In the great flood Vishnu took the form of a fish (Matsya) to save primeval man and the sacred Vedas. In this relief he carries a shrine wich he has saved from the waters. OA 1872.7-1.50
#03060116

Sandstone stele depicting Matsya, Indian, 9th CE. The Hindu god Vishnu is a pres...

Inscribed stele with the yakshi Ambika, Paramara dynasty, 1034. Ambika is worshipped by both Hindus and Jains. This statue is an extraordinary document because it gives the date, 1034-35, and the name of scribe and donor, a woman named Sosa. According to the record, Sosa also established an image of Sarasvati, goddess of learning. OA 1880-19
#03060117

Inscribed stele with the yakshi Ambika, Paramara dynasty, 1034. Ambika is worshi...

Garuda worshipping. Many Hindu deities have a vehicle on which they ride; the mount of Vishnu is the hawk Garuda. He is usually shown as a man with a hooked beak instead of a nose and with wings. Garuda is the enemy of snakes and nagas. Small snakes appear wrapped around his wrists, upper arms,shins, earrings and hair. OA 1872.7-1.67
#03060118

Garuda worshipping. Many Hindu deities have a vehicle on which they ride; the mo...

Ivory relief of Rama and Lakshmana, from Tamil Nadu, India. Nayaka period, late 16th-17th century. From the Hindu epic Ramayana. Rama is seated in deep thought.Rama's wife Sita was abducted by the demon Ravana. After a series of adventures Rama defeated Ravana and the couple were reunited. OA 1995.10-6.1
#03060120

Ivory relief of Rama and Lakshmana, from Tamil Nadu, India. Nayaka period, lat...

Bronze statues of Vishnu with his consorts Bhu and Shri, from Tamil Nadu, southern India, around 1000. The Hindu god Vishnu is depicted as a great King with a tall crown. He is identified by the conch shell and the flaming discus that he holds in his two upper hands. The images are made of bronze using the lost-wax process. OA 1965.10-17.3-4
#03060121

Bronze statues of Vishnu with his consorts Bhu and Shri, from Tamil Nadu, southe...

Bronze figure of Nataraja, from Tamil Nadu, southern India, around 1100.Back view of the Hindu god Shiva appearing as the lord of the dance, Nataraja, in a ring of fire. His long ascetic's hair flies out on either side of his head as he performs his dance. Shiva as Nataraja appears at the end of one cosmic cycle and the beginning of the next and is thus associated with creation and destruction.OA 1987.3-14.1
#03060122

Bronze figure of Nataraja, from Tamil Nadu, southern India, around 1100.Back vie...

Bronze figure of Nataraja, from Tamil Nadu, southern India, around 1100. Front view of the Hindu god Shiva appearing as the lord of the dance, Nataraja, in a ring of fire. His long ascetic's hair flies out on either side of his head as he performs his dance. Shiva as Nataraja appears at the end of one cosmic cycle and the beginning of the next and is thus associated with creation and destruction.OA 1987.3-14.1
#03060123

Bronze figure of Nataraja, from Tamil Nadu, southern India, around 1100. Front v...

Sandstone stele of Lakulisha, Central India. Lakulisha is an aspect of the Hindu God Shiva standing on the dwarf of ignorance, flanked by tow diminutive figures, hands clasped respectfully before the god. Lakulisha's common features are the all-seeing third eye, the erect phallus and Apasmara, a symbol of illusion, ignorance and ego. OA 1968.12-16.2
#03060132

Sandstone stele of Lakulisha, Central India. Lakulisha is an aspect of the Hindu...

Five-headed bust of Shiva, third divinity of Hindu trinity (trimurti),mid-tenth. From Cambodia.
#03060137

Five-headed bust of Shiva, third divinity of Hindu trinity (trimurti),mid-tenth....

Sandstone stele with a figure of Harihara, Indian, 10th. The main four-armed standing figure is divided verticlly through the centre, its proper right-side (that is on the left of this picture) is Shiva, and the left Vishnu. Shivas hair is built up in an elaborate coif with serpent and skull. His third eye has been incised on Shiva's side of the face. Vishnu wears a tall,kingly crown, in his ear an elaborate earring and in his hands he holds his attributes of the conch and wheel. OA 1872.7-1.75
#03060139

Sandstone stele with a figure of Harihara, Indian, 10th. The main four-armed sta...