Balarama
ca. 8th-9th century
Maker Unknown
Asian Art
This figure can be identified as Balarama because of the hooked plow that he holds in his left hand (now damaged) and the multiple hooded cobra heads that appear above his left shoulder. The snake hoods recall the god’s role as a manifestation of the serpent Shesha. The placement of the snake hoods at one side is extremely unusual; typically they circle Balarama’s head like a halo.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Red sandstone
- Locations
- Possible place made: Central region, Rajasthan, India
- Dimensions
- 17 1/2 x 10 3/4in. (44.5 x 27.3cm) Other: 17 1/2 x 10 3/4in. (44.5 x 27.3cm)
- Departments
- Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 86.227.158
- Credit Line
- Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
- Exhibitions
- Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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