Box decorated with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, and Ganesha

Description

This box is covered in a variety of birds, animals, and plants. The central motifs on the lids include images of four Hindu gods: Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, and Ganesha. The blue figures are Vishnu and Krishna, the latter of which is an incarnation of the former who is shown playing a flute. The elephant-headed Ganesha is red and accompanied by his mount, the bandicoot rat Dinka. The four-armed Shiva is paired with two animals, including a tiger and his sacred bull mount Nandi.

Small enamel boxes could be used to house many different substances, from cosmetics to spices to stimulants, including opium and paan, a digestive typically given at formal gatherings as a sign of the host’s hospitality.

Provenance

(William H. Wolff, Inc., New York, NY, sold to Severance and Greta Millikin) (?–1968); Severance A. [1895–1985] and Greta [Marguerite Steckerl] Millikin [1903–1989], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1968–1989); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1989–)

Box decorated with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, and Ganesha

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c. 1800

Accession Number

1989.353

Medium

gold with enamel

Dimensions

Overall: 4.5 x 6.3 cm (1 3/4 x 2 1/2 in.)

Classification

Metalwork

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin