Untitled

Unknown

early 15th century · Embroidered silk on cotton ground · Asian Art

This upper section of a temple banner is constructed of embroidered panels depicting Hindu deities assembled from a single source. It features images of Bhairava, a wrathful form of Shiva, together with multiple depictions of Vishnu and ascetics. The fine detailing is achieved with a minute brick-stitch outlined by chain-stitch and superimposed stars on the scarfs worn by each figure. The ensemble was likely derived from a ritual garment made in the Kathmandu Valley, almost certainly a court commission for use by a royal priest. It was subsequently repurposed as a part of banner, likely in Tibet. This is one of a small group of such Nepalese ritual textiles to have survived. This textile is dated, on the basis of radio-carbon analysis, to the early fifteenth century.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 15th century

Medium

Embroidered silk on cotton ground

Culture

Nepal

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Chilton Jr. Gifts, 2021