Shrine Item Number: Ef315 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Shrine that has a rectangular base with arch at back surmounted by umbrella-like motif. A variety of figures are seated or otherwise disposed about the base: five-headed cobra rises in centre of arch; other figures include a bull, a lingam, another cobra, a pile of stones, the elephant god Ganesh, and four female figures, one at each corner.
History Of Use
Dedicated to the god Shiva; probably the centerpiece of a small shrine.
Cultural Context
daily worship
Iconographic Meaning
Umbrella - royal symbol, five-headed cobra is an attendant of Shiva; lingam, a phallic form, is a symbol of Shiva; Nandi is the bull vehicle of Shiva; Ganesh is the son of Shiva and Parvati; piled stones called pancha-pinda represent Vishnu Surya Parvati.
Item History
- Made in India
- Collected between 1955 and 1973
- Owned by Victor Hardy before December 11, 1979
- Received from Victor Hardy (Donor) on December 11, 1979
What
- Name
- Shrine
- Identification Number
- Ef315
- Type of Item
- shrine
- Material
- bronze metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast
- Overall
- height 8.0 cm, width 5.5 cm, depth 5.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Indian: Northern Indian and Indian: Central Indian
- Previous Owner
- Victor Hardy
- Received from
- Victor Hardy (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- India
When
- Collection Date
- between 1955 and 1973
- Ownership Date
- before December 11, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on December 11, 1979
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0580/0088