Rumal with Vishnu temple and subsidiary shrines

1700s

Northern India, Pahari Kingdom of Chamba

Medium

Silk and silver embroidery on cotton tabby ground

Measurements

Overall: 62.2 x 63.5 cm (24 1/2 x 25 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1208

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Location

242B Indian Painting

Did You Know?

This reversible embroidery was made using double-sided satin stitch, so the pictorial composition can be viewed from both sides.

Description

Two women bring gifts of pure water in a golden pot along with a flower garland to the four-armed blue Vishnu, whose favorite plant, the Tulsi basil, grows in an altar in front of the temple. Ten more shrines round out the sacred complex. To the upper right, the temple of Shiva with his trident stands next to that of his red, elephant-headed son, Ganesha. To the lower left, there appears to be temples to the sun and moon.

Silver threads used to denote jewelry have tarnished and appear black. The unfinished border reveals that outlines and stitches for the vines were sewn last.