Description
Blades fan around the figure of this demon, illustrating the meaning of his name: he whose “body hair is swords.” To further emphasize his favorite weapon, he clutches a broad curving sword in his right hand. The inscription at the bottom identifies him by name in the local language of Telugu, but a section has been pasted upside down, indicating that the owner of this page did not read the script. The inscription has been translated into French at the top. Territories in southern India were under French colonial control from 1692 to 1761.
Provenance
William E. Ward [1922–2004], Solon, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–2001); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2001–)
Accession Number
2001.163
Medium
Gum tempera, ink, and hand-colored silver paper appliqué on paper
Dimensions
Overall: 39.7 x 27.6 cm (15 5/8 x 10 7/8 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward