Detail View: The AMICA Library: Sankh
|
AMICA ID:
|
MMA_.1986.12
|
|
AMICA Library Year:
|
2000
|
|
Object Type:
|
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
|
|
Creator Name:
|
Unknown
|
|
Creator Role:
|
Artist
|
|
Creator Name-CRT:
|
Unknown Maker
|
|
Title:
|
Sankh
|
|
Title Type:
|
Object name
|
|
View:
|
Full View
|
|
Creation Date:
|
19th century
|
|
Creation Start Date:
|
1800
|
|
Creation End Date:
|
1899
|
|
Materials and Techniques:
|
Brass, wax
|
|
Classification Term:
|
Aerophone/lip vibrated
|
|
Dimensions:
|
L. of shell 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm); L. of stand 5 3/4 in. (14.5 cm); H. of shell 5 3/4 in. (14.7 cm); H. of stand 2 3/8 in. (6 cm); Total H. 8 7/8 in.(22.5 cm)
|
|
AMICA Contributor:
|
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
|
|
Owner Location:
|
New York, New York, USA
|
|
ID Number:
|
1986.12
|
|
Credit Line:
|
Purchase, The Barrington Foundation Inc. Gift, 1986
|
|
Rights:
|
|
|
Context:
|
In Hinduism the conch shell is usually associated with the god Vishnu, Lord of the Waters, but the brass fittings on this shell indicate a link with Shaivite ritual. The mouthpiece suggests a lotus, while the heavily decorated conical end depicts rows of nagas (serpent divinities) and wreath-bearing kirttimukhas ("Faces of Glory"). A yoni design (symbol of female energy) is interspersed between each naga and kirttimukha. The fitting terminates with the head of a makara (elephant/crocodile monster), atop which strides a yali (elephant/lion monster). Three figures rest at the upper edge of the shell's opening: the lingam/yoni, symbol of Shiva and representation of the unified male/female force; Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva; and Nandi, a milk-white bull who serves as Shiva's vehicle. The opening of the hoofed stand represents a yoni. |
|
Related Image Identifier Link:
|
MMA_.mi1986.12.R.tif
|