Furniture Plaque Showing Female Musician in an Architectural Framework

Unknown

16th century · Ivory · Islamic Art

This small plaque depicts a woman mid-dance step, playing a cylindrical drum known as the pakhavaj, which is suspended around her neck. She is positioned beneath a lobed, cusped arch, an architectural form familiar to the Deccan, where this piece was likely made. Scantily clad, this dancing girl is adorned with various pieces of jewelry including bangles, anklets, a necklace, and nose ring. Her long plait and scarf (dupatta) undulate with the rhythm of her movement

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century

Medium

Ivory

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 2013