The circular medallion within the square shrine symbolizes the sun, containing Surya, the sun god, riding on his chariot. His driver is Aruna, the legless brother of Garuda, the Hindu sun bird. Surya is accompanied by four of his consorts; the ones on the far left and right being Dawn and Twilight, the dual lights that combat the darkness before sunrise and after sunset. Poised in the archer’s pose, they are fighting the darkness with their arrows. This shrine, typical of the workmanship of the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley, is filled with fine filigree work and inlaid with turquoise and other semiprecious stones.
Details
- Title : Shrine of the sun god Surya
- Year : 1800-1900
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Copper with gilding and precious stones
- Dimension : H. 29 1/2 in x W. 24 in x D. 3 1/4 in, H. 75 cm x W. 61 cm x D. 8.3 cm
- Accession No : B60S79
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : Asian Art Museum
- Credit Line : The Avery Brundage Collection
- Status : Not on display
- Location : Gallery 12