Catur Nari Palakkiya or Four Women Palanquin

Wooden panel decorated with one central human figure seated in padmasana surrounded and supported by six symmetrically positioned figures, the outer two standing and supporting aloft four other figures, two to either side of the central figure and two above these. Their limbs are entwined, and they also hold each others' plaited hair for support. Two birds above, one at each side, and foliage above and below, the whole design in white, yellow and black pigment on a red ground. Framed by a narrow strip of alternating red stars and black motifs on a gold ground. One of the exercises young artists in Sri Lanka were taught to master, so probably an apprentice piece.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
219iv
Date
19th century
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 194 x 257 x 9 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
wood; pigment
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
World Gallery > World Gallery Balcony > Horniman's Vision
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Collection Information

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