Collection record · Small worlds
Pendant with Matsya (fish incarnation of Vishnu) defeating Hayagriva
The collection record classifies this work as jewelry. It is dated 1800s. Recorded culture or place: Northwestern India, Rajasthan Pratapgarh.
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A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Pendant with Matsya (fish incarnation of Vishnu) defeating Hayagriva
- Date
- 1800s
- Culture / origin
- Northwestern India, Rajasthan Pratapgarh
- Materials and technique
- gold, enamel, emeralds, and pearls
- Dimensions
- Overall: 11.8 x 5.8 cm (4 5/8 x 2 5/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1916.119
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
Three emeralds and many pearls surround the central part of this pendant, which features a scene from the life of Matsya at the center. The fish incarnation of the preserver god Vishnu, Matsya appears in the middle, defeating the demon Hayagriva, who emerges from a shell, grasping him by the hair. Encircling the battle are plants, flowers, and designs indicative of ocean waves. The four-headed god Brahma also watches from the left side. Below the main scene, two smaller teardrop-shaped ornaments hang down. They feature scenes of predator birds, which may allude to the courtly falcon hunts of rulers.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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