Balarama, ca. 8th–9th century. Red sandstone, 17 1/2 x 10 3/4in. (44.5 x 27.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.158. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.158_acetate_bw.jpg)
Balarama, ca. 8th–9th century. Red sandstone, 17 1/2 x 10 3/4in. (44.5 x 27.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.158. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.158_PS2.jpg)
Balarama
Asian Art
This figure can be identified as Balarama because of the hooked plow that he holds in his left hand (now damaged) and the multiple hooded cobra heads that appear above his left shoulder. The snake hoods recall the god’s role as a manifestation of the serpent Shesha. The placement of the snake hoods at one side is extremely unusual; typically they circle Balarama’s head like a halo.
MEDIUM
Red sandstone
DATES
ca. 8th–9th century
DIMENSIONS
17 1/2 x 10 3/4in. (44.5 x 27.3cm)
Other: 17 1/2 x 10 3/4in. (44.5 x 27.3cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Asian Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
86.227.158
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Balarama, ca. 8th–9th century. Red sandstone, 17 1/2 x 10 3/4in. (44.5 x 27.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.227.158. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.227.158_acetate_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 86.227.158_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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