This pendant was made to hang on a sculpture of a deity under worship in a Nepalese temple. The image of the Sun God, venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus, is carved in translucent golden stones set into a framework of gold wire. He holds two lotuses with emeralds in the centre.
Fun Fact
The golden figure below the Sun God is the Dawn, driving the five-horse chariot across the sky.
Details
- Title : Forehead Pendant with Sun God Surya in a Chariot with Attendants
- Year : 1600s or 1700s
- Classification : Cultural Objects/Jewellery
- Medium : Gold set with jewels and semi-precious stones
- Dimension : Overall: 8 x 4.6 cm (3 1/8 x 1 13/16 in.)
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
- Collection : The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Credit Line : Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1915.337
- Status : On View 237 Himalayan
- Collection : Nepalese Art
- Department : Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Exhibition history : Inaugural Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (co-organizer) (June 6-September 20, 1916). *Materials of the Artist. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (March 4-December 12, 1958).