Maharao Kishor Singh II of Kota (r. 1819–28) Worshiping Krishna as Brij Rajji

Description

The ruler of the small princely state of Kota, dressed as a priest of the Pushti Marg sect, holds a lamp with five flames. He pays homage to a triad of metal images with Krishna in the center, flanked by two consorts, enshrined in a small kiosk lined with metallic panels designed to reflect light. This icon is worshiped only in Kota.

A multitude of glass lamps hang from the ceiling, and toys and games to amuse Krishna and his companions have been arranged on the steps leading up to the altar, including brass elephants, silver cows, balls, and a pachisi board.

Provenance

(Terence McInerney, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?–1978); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1978–)

Maharao Kishor Singh II of Kota (r. 1819–28) Worshiping Krishna as Brij Rajji

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c. 1825

Accession Number

1978.71

Medium

Gum tempera, silver, and gold on paper

Dimensions

Overall: 24.5 x 18.8 cm (9 5/8 x 7 3/8 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

James Albert and Mary Gardiner Ford Memorial Fund