Khadgaroma, Son of Ravana

c. 1720

This object has related works. See

Southern India, Andhra Pradesh

Medium

Gum tempera, ink, and hand-colored silver paper appliqué on paper

Measurements

Overall: 39.7 x 27.6 cm (15 5/8 x 10 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2001.163

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

The silver appliqué, which was likely mixed with the yellow pigment gamboge, imitates gold.

Description

Blades fan around the figure of this demon, illustrating the meaning of his name: he whose “body hair is swords.” To further emphasize his favorite weapon, he clutches a broad curving sword in his right hand. The inscription at the bottom identifies him by name in the local language of Telugu, but a section has been pasted upside down, indicating that the owner of this page did not read the script. The inscription has been translated into French at the top. Territories in southern India were under French colonial control from 1692 to 1761.