Figure Item Number: Ef194 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Clay model of human figure. Torso is pinched at waist. Lower extremities form skirt that also serves as solid base. The skirt is painted yellow, red, and green. Arms are stumpy and roughly depicted. Face is painted blue with orange features. Wears silver crown.
History Of Use
These figures were made by Bengali potters for sale as ritual objects at Shelda Market in Calcutta during the Bengali equivalent of the Ratha Yatra Festival. After the Festival, their function doubles as toys for children. Made by Bengali Kumbhakara caste (Kumara).
Iconographic Meaning
This figure depicts Balarama, seventh son of Vasudeva and Devaki and the older brother of Krishna, or, in this instance, of Jagannath, a form of Krishna. His complexion is usually white or blue and he is said to have been reared with Krishna in a cowherd's family at Vrindaban. In his form in the Jagannath trinity he is called Balbhadra.
Narrative
Local mythology explains that the carpenter and architect of the gods, Viswa Karma, was interrupted while making the original temple image and refused to complete it, leaving it in an unfinished crude form.
Item History
- Made in Calcutta, West Bengal, India before 1976
- Collected during 1976
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before December 2, 1977
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller) on December 2, 1977
What
Who
- Culture
- Indian: Northern Indian and Indian: Central Indian
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Calcutta, West Bengal, India
When
- Creation Date
- before 1976
- Collection Date
- during 1976
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 1977
Other
- Item Classes
- ceramics
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 105
- Accession Number
- 0411/0097