Physical description
The soap-stone carving is of a well-dressed warrior possibly identified as Arjuna. He is shown standing facing towards his right wielding a sword in his right hand hel against his chest, with his left arm hanging down holding a shield in his left hand. He is wearing a cockaded headdress with looped ribbons at the sides and floral embellishments hanging either side of his head. He is wearing a dhoti down to his knees with a pleated patkatied round his waist which falls to his ankles. He is ornamented with plain anklets over bare feet, armbands, and a kantha (a broad, flat necklace) round his neck. A beaded sacred thread undulates across his chest and an uttariya (scarf) s looped over his shoulders with the long ends flaring out at the bottom either side of him.
He is set against a wavy background on a pointed arched backslab with a margin decorated with flame motifs. He stands on the ground below which there is a base of lotus petsls and a central floral motif.
Descriptive line
Arjuna; Sculpture, soap-stone, carved, Nepal
Details
- Title : Arjuna
- Artist : Unknown
- Classification : Figure/ Sculpture
- Medium : Soap-stone carving
- Accession No : 356(IS)
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
- Status : In Storage