Artwork Page for Palanquin Ring

Details / Information for Palanquin Ring

Palanquin Ring

1100s–1200s

Cambodia, probably Angkor

Medium
bronze
Measurements
Overall: 24.1 x 23 x 6.5 cm (9 1/2 x 9 1/16 x 2 9/16 in.)
Weight: 2.58 kg
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 2011.151
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
244 Indian and Southeast Asian
Print

Description

When members of the royal family or priesthood traveled in a public festival procession to make offerings at a temple or participate in a ceremony, they would be carried in a palanquin, or a covered litter. Portable objects of veneration, such as bronze images or a sacred fire, were also carried on palanquins. The palanquins had wooden poles, hanging seats or raised platforms, and bronze fittings cast in intricate forms and gilt, lending the palanquins a sumptuous quality.

This ring, which supported a suspended seat, would have hung on a hook attached to a wooden pole.

The body of the ring is shaped in the form of a pair of nagas, or serpents. The flanges, or protrusions, on the top and sides are stylized spines of the serpent’s body, and the heads rear up on either side. In a richly textured cluster of separately cast figures on both sides of the ring are images of composite bird-human, monkey-human, and elephant forms.
A bronze ring, aged with a green patina, has a serpent with spines arcing over the top, a smooth arc at the bottom, and on either side are parallel clusters of figures with bird-human, monkey-human, and elephant forms. Wings and clothes are detailed with curving lines, cross-hatched lines, and dots. More serpent spines stick out from the top.

Palanquin Ring

1100s–1200s

Cambodia, probably Angkor

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Shop the CMA Store

Shop More Art

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork