Shield from India

mahratt · 6th December 2022, 12:12 PM

Hi guys

Your opinion about this Indian shield is interesting.

I think it's India, late 19th century, made specifically for European "oriental rooms".

Maybe someone will tell you what kind of plots are depicted on the surface of the shield?

Interested Party · 6th December 2022, 03:26 PM

Mahratt, to me it looks like a depiction of a pantheon rather than a story. I believe I recognize several elements. If no one more knowledgeable chimes in I will post next week when work isn't absolutely crazy, I can breathe again, and I have a second to check reference materials. The vehicles are the clue I use for identification of the figures. Examples from a cursory glance being beginning at top left I believe is Durga (lion). One to her left would be Vishnu riding Garuda. Weapons are good clues for me as well and numbers of appendages can help narrow the incarnation. Sory to not be more help today.

mahratt · 6th December 2022, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Party

Mahratt, to me it looks like a depiction of a pantheon rather than a story. I believe I recognize several elements. If no one more knowledgeable chimes in I will post next week when work isn't absolutely crazy, I can breathe again, and I have a second to check reference materials. The vehicles are the clue I use for identification of the figures. Examples from a cursory glance being beginning at top left I believe is Durga (lion). One to her left would be Vishnu riding Garuda. Weapons are good clues for me as well and numbers of appendages can help narrow the incarnation. Sory to not be more help today.

Many thanks!

I'll be waiting

Peter Hudson · 6th December 2022, 06:15 PM

It appears to be the invincible Durga The Goddess... with anything up to 18 arms a formidable warrior indeed... I noted; Durga is nearly always shown either mounting or taming a lion or a tiger. The elegant beasts that symbolize strength and victory are there to represent Durga’s inner power and fierceness. https://www.yogapedia.com/goddess-du...-force/2/11758

I QUOTE" In each of her many hands, Durga is shown as carrying a weapon. The weaponry she carries to slay demons is symbolic, representing a certain quality, type of energy, or specific power.

As the number of arms Durga is depicted with varies, the weaponry she carries varies as well, but the most significant object she’s always depicted with are:

The Sudarshan-Chakra (a discus symbolizing her rule over the world)
The conch shell (a representation of the mystic word Om)
The lotus (not fully in bloom, it symbolizes the promise of success that has not yet been achieved)
A sword (symbolizing the sharpness of her mind)
Bow and arrow (symbol for energy and control)
A thunderbolt (symbolizing the power of her will)." UNQUOTE.

mahratt · 6th December 2022, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Hudson

It appears to be the invincible Durga The Goddess... with anything up to 18 arms a formidable warrior indeed... I noted; Durga is nearly always shown either mounting or taming a lion or a tiger. The elegant beasts that symbolize strength and victory are there to represent Durga’s inner power and fierceness. https://www.yogapedia.com/goddess-du...-force/2/11758

I QUOTE" In each of her many hands, Durga is shown as carrying a weapon. The weaponry she carries to slay demons is symbolic, representing a certain quality, type of energy, or specific power.

As the number of arms Durga is depicted with varies, the weaponry she carries varies as well, but the most significant object she’s always depicted with are:

The Sudarshan-Chakra (a discus symbolizing her rule over the world)
The conch shell (a representation of the mystic word Om)
The lotus (not fully in bloom, it symbolizes the promise of success that has not yet been achieved)
A sword (symbolizing the sharpness of her mind)
Bow and arrow (symbol for energy and control)
A thunderbolt (symbolizing the power of her will)." UNQUOTE.

Thank you Peter!

Very interesting

drac2k · 7th December 2022, 05:09 PM

Could we see the inside of the shield?

Jim McDougall · 7th December 2022, 05:36 PM

This is an attractive shield , and its impressive decoration, as very well explained by Peter, illustrates the pantheon and key figures in much of Indian religious belief. As not well versed in the various dynamics of Hinduism or the other Faith's associated I defer on elaborating further, but Peter has already covered the themes of these panels.

Clearly this is a commemorative and ceremonial type piece which is from what is sometimes referred to as the 'durbar period' in the British Raj, and would extend from late 1870s well into 1900s. The most influential were the three Delhi Durbars of 1877, 1903 and 1911. These were essentially formal meetings in the princely states where the ruler's court and British administrators met and discussed matters of state, along with celebratory events and ceremony.

At these events there were many attendees of course, including many British and other foreign people so vendors and artisans assembled in large bazaar type venues where their wares would be sold.In many cases, the offerings were a kind of 'showing off' of the artisan's skills, often to impress as well as obviously the sales. There were of course various degrees of quality which depended on the vendors.

6th December 2022, 12:12 PM	#1
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	Shield from India Hi guys Your opinion about this Indian shield is interesting. I think it's India, late 19th century, made specifically for European "oriental rooms". Maybe someone will tell you what kind of plots are depicted on the surface of the shield? Attached Images

6th December 2022, 06:15 PM	#4
Peter Hudson Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 314	It appears to be the invincible Durga The Goddess... with anything up to 18 arms a formidable warrior indeed... I noted; Durga is nearly always shown either mounting or taming a lion or a tiger. The elegant beasts that symbolize strength and victory are there to represent Durga’s inner power and fierceness. https://www.yogapedia.com/goddess-du...-force/2/11758 I QUOTE" In each of her many hands, Durga is shown as carrying a weapon. The weaponry she carries to slay demons is symbolic, representing a certain quality, type of energy, or specific power. As the number of arms Durga is depicted with varies, the weaponry she carries varies as well, but the most significant object she’s always depicted with are: The Sudarshan-Chakra (a discus symbolizing her rule over the world) The conch shell (a representation of the mystic word Om) The lotus (not fully in bloom, it symbolizes the promise of success that has not yet been achieved) A sword (symbolizing the sharpness of her mind) Bow and arrow (symbol for energy and control) A thunderbolt (symbolizing the power of her will)." UNQUOTE. Last edited by Peter Hudson; 6th December 2022 at 06:26 PM.

6th December 2022, 03:26 PM	#2
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 467	Mahratt, to me it looks like a depiction of a pantheon rather than a story. I believe I recognize several elements. If no one more knowledgeable chimes in I will post next week when work isn't absolutely crazy, I can breathe again, and I have a second to check reference materials. The vehicles are the clue I use for identification of the figures. Examples from a cursory glance being beginning at top left I believe is Durga (lion). One to her left would be Vishnu riding Garuda. Weapons are good clues for me as well and numbers of appendages can help narrow the incarnation. Sory to not be more help today.

7th December 2022, 05:09 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Could we see the inside of the shield?

7th December 2022, 05:36 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,943	This is an attractive shield , and its impressive decoration, as very well explained by Peter, illustrates the pantheon and key figures in much of Indian religious belief. As not well versed in the various dynamics of Hinduism or the other Faith's associated I defer on elaborating further, but Peter has already covered the themes of these panels. Clearly this is a commemorative and ceremonial type piece which is from what is sometimes referred to as the 'durbar period' in the British Raj, and would extend from late 1870s well into 1900s. The most influential were the three Delhi Durbars of 1877, 1903 and 1911. These were essentially formal meetings in the princely states where the ruler's court and British administrators met and discussed matters of state, along with celebratory events and ceremony. At these events there were many attendees of course, including many British and other foreign people so vendors and artisans assembled in large bazaar type venues where their wares would be sold.In many cases, the offerings were a kind of 'showing off' of the artisan's skills, often to impress as well as obviously the sales. There were of course various degrees of quality which depended on the vendors.