ganesha sthapana (Hanging)
About this object
History of use
Wall hanging worshipped by bride and groom.
Cultural context
Wedding; Hinduism.
Iconographic meaning
Gods, animals, symbols, and flowers represent virtue, beauty, and good fortune. Krishna with his sacred flute is associated with kindness and goodness. Ganesh, the elephant-headed, four-armed god, overcomes obstacles and bears good luck. Surya, the sun god, represents life and fertility; cows symbolize abundance. Elephants represent power and authority; peacocks symbolize beauty and immortality; a rat is the vahana of Ganesh and the swastika is his sign; shape corresponds to longitudinal section of gabled shrine.
Physical description
Square-based pentagon; white front; natural printed lining; machine bound with red bias tape; white bias loop at each corner; embroidered before figures are filled with fishbone stitch; male at top centre with orange body, red face and multi-coloured cap and clothing; elephant-headed male, lower centre has an orange body and multi-coloured cap; two red cows are at lower corners; two blue elephants are above; one blue and one green peacock are at each top corner. Multi-coloured, six-petalled flowers form a border; multi-coloured, small symbols, furnishings, and a long-tailed animal are scattered between figures; loop at top right is broken; lining has a small hole in centre.
Categories
Materials
Date Made
Before 30 January 1985
Date Acquired
30 Jan 1985
How Acquired
Donated
Credit Line
The Beverly and Milton Israel Indian Textile CollectionMore...
Measurements
Overall: 59.7 cm x 60 cm
Object Number
Ef394