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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2008.24
Title
Forms of Vishnu, Kalamkari textile
Classification
Textile Arts
Work Type
textile
Date
c. 1900
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Southern India
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/18509

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Brown and Indigo dye on cotton textile fibers
Technique
Painted
Dimensions
218.44 x 129.54 cm (86 x 51 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Purchased by Mrs. Cornelia Mongomery in an antique shop in Kennebunkport, ME around 1950. Has been in the collection of Mrs. Mongomery ever since.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Cornelia Montgomery in memory of Professor Benjamin Rowland
Accession Year
2008
Object Number
2008.24
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
This large cotton textile is has painted mordant and dye designs depicting scenes of the various incarnations, or avatars, of the Hindu god Vishnu. Known as kalamkari ("pen-work"), textiles of this type and manufacture have been produced in India for centuries, for domestic use as well as for export to Southeast Asia and Europe. This example is from the Coromandel Coast in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, and likely originated around the turn of the 20th century from worshops in Kalahasti or Masulipatam.

The composition of this work is divided into six vertical registers contained within a border of round floral repeat designs. A large scene of seated Vishnu, flanked by two standing attendants (possibly Bhu and Shri) is placed in the center of the composition, reaching two registers in height. Above and below this image, individual scenes of Vishnu are represented inside distinct cells within the registers. Text boxes help to delineate the registers, and the text, in Telegu script appears to describe the individual scenes.

The textile is painted with iron mordants and vegetable dyes. Most noticable is the use of indigo to paint the blue body of Vishnu. The rest of the palate is restricted to warm brown tones. The cotton ground color is off-white to light brown.

Exhibition History

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu