Cleveland Museum of Art

Maharao Kishor Singh II of Kota (r. 1819–28) Worshiping Krishna as Brij Rajji

Date

c. 1825

Medium

Gum tempera, silver, and gold on paper

Culture

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Kota

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The ruler of the small princely state of Kota, dressed as a priest of the Pushti Marg sect, holds a lamp with five flames. He pays homage to a triad of metal images with Krishna in the center, flanked by two consorts, enshrined in a small kiosk lined with metallic panels designed to reflect light. This icon is worshiped only in Kota. A multitude of glass lamps hang from the ceiling, and toys and games to amuse Krishna and his companions have been arranged on the steps leading up to the altar, including brass elephants, silver cows, balls, and a pachisi board. Mirrors line the back of the shrine.

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