The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Pendant: Krishna as Shri Nathji

c. 1800–1830

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Nathdwara

champlevé enamel
Overall: 5.2 x 3.9 cm (2 1/16 x 1 9/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1946.257
Location: Not on view

Description

Diminutive images of Krishna as Shri Nathji were worn by devotees, sometimes secretly in times of persecution. Even in the tiny composition, Krishna’s raised left hand can be seen clearly, referencing his miraculous lifting of Mount Govardhan. In his right arm he holds his herdsman’s staff. Two priests offer lamps in his honor.
  • ?-1946
    (Victor D. Spark, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    1946-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Hollis, Howard. "An Indian Enameled Pendant." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 35, no. 2 (February 1948): 18 Reproduced: p. 14; Mentioned: p. 18 www.jstor.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art Handbook. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1958. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 781 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 240 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 240 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 311 archive.org
  • Krishna and the Path of Grace – Indian Gallery 242 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 14, 2020-March 7, 2021).
    Jewelry Techniques Past and Present. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 3-April 4, 1956).
    Textiles and Ornamental Arts of India. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY (organizer) (April 13-July 31, 1955).
    India's Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 2, 1949-January 22, 1950).
    Exhibition of the Month: Jewelry of India. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (April 1-June 2, 1947).
  • {{cite web|title=Pendant: Krishna as Shri Nathji|url=false|author=|year=c. 1800–1830|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1946.257