English: painting / album
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Object type
painting term details
album term details
Museum number
1992,0410,0.1.49
Description
Gouache painting on paper, part of an album of seventy paintings of Indian deities. The three-headed rakshasa Trishiras sits in lalitasana on a throne facing a fire altar in which a severed head is burning. In his left hand, Trishiras carries a large oblation spoon on which is yet another severed head. In his right hand he carries a curved sword. Flames emanate from his three crowns and vibhuti are on his forehead.
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School/style
Company School term details
Trichinopoly Style
Date
1830 (circa)
Production place
Painted in: Tiruchirapalli term details
(Asia,South Asia,India,Tamil Nadu,Tiruchirapalli)
Materials
paper
Technique
painted term details
Dimensions
Height: 21.5 centimetres
Width: 17 centimetres
Inscriptions
Inscription Type
inscription
Inscription Position
facing page
Inscription Language
English
Inscription Content
The offering of human victims was common but now the English courts of Justice take cognisance of such murders and would punish the perpetrators: still however it has been said that men without the head to the body have not infrequently been found near such temples. The suspicion generally is that such persons have been murdered
Inscription Comment
written by commentator 2
Inscription Type
inscription
Inscription Position
facing page
Inscription Language
English
Inscription Content
No. 66. Giant termed Tirtsaran who was in ancient [?] lived at Trichinopoly
Inscription Comment
written by commentator 1
Curator's comments
Dallapiccola 2010:
The painting refers to the story of the origin of Tiruchchirappalli: it is said that the three-headed demon ‘Trisira’ ruled over the region. He offered two of his heads to Shiva and threw them into the sacrificial fire, but the god did not appear. When he was on the verge of cutting off his remaining head, Shiva appeared before him and showered him with favours.
An album of seventy paintings of Indian gods, including the unusual inclusion of the myth of Trishira, Ravana’s brother, who is said to be the founder of the city of Tiruchirappalli (1992,0410,0.1.49 & 1992,0410,0.1.53). This suggests that the album was produced in Tiruchirappalli. The album includes inscribed commentary from three different people. The first commentator attempts to identify each of the paintings and sometimes draws parallels with Egyptian mythology. The second commentator expands on these identifications and attempts to draw comparisons with classical mythology, whilst the third commentator is interested in the various sectarian marks that characterize Shaivas and Vaishnavas. The images retain the brilliant colour of the paint, evidence of the album having been kept closed for long periods since its creation. The buckram binding of the album is stamped with the words ‘Hindu Deities’.
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Bibliography
Dallapiccola 2010 cat 7.49 bibliographic details
Subjects
hinduism term details
deity term details
Acquisition name
Funded by: Brooke Sewell Permanent Fund biography
Purchased from: Pablo Butcher biography
Acquisition date
1992
Department
Asia
Registration number
1992,0410,0.1.4