Cleveland Museum of Art

Deity Earring with Vishnu on Garuda (front) and chepu (monster mask) (back)

Date: 1600s or 1700s
Medium: Gold set with precious and semi-precious stones
Culture: Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
Department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

A green Vishnu with four arms, each holding his attributes of discus (his upper right hand), mace (upper left), lotus (lower right), and conch (in pearl, lower left) rides on a coral Garuda with lapis wings, arms outstretched. The blue figures on either side are probably celestial beings praising him in dance postures, with one leg crossed over the other. On the back side, delicate filigree floral scrolls form the backdrop of a protective mask popular in Nepal; a sun over a crescent moon are inlaid above his head.

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