<em>Relief Tile Depicting Balarama Abducted by the Demon Pralamba</em>, 5th century. Terracotta, traces of polychromy, 22 x 15 1/2 x 6 1/4 in., 27.5 lb. (55.9 x 39.4 x 15.9 cm, 12.47kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Gwenn Miller in memory of Barbara Stoler Miller, 2018.42.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, L1998.2.1_PS2.jpg)

Relief Tile Depicting Balarama Abducted by the Demon Pralamba, 5th century. Terracotta, traces of polychromy, 22 x 15 1/2 x 6 1/4 in., 27.5 lb. (55.9 x 39.4 x 15.9 cm, 12.47kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Gwenn Miller in memory of Barbara Stoler Miller, 2018.42.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, L1998.2.1_PS2.jpg)

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Relief Tile Depicting Balarama Abducted by the Demon Pralamba

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor

MEDIUM Terracotta, traces of polychromy

Possible Place Made: Northern, Uttar Pradesh, India

DATES 5th century

PERIOD Gupta Period

DIMENSIONS 22 x 15 1/2 x 6 1/4 in., 27.5 lb. (55.9 x 39.4 x 15.9 cm, 12.47kg) mount: 22 × 14 1/2 × 5 in. (55.9 × 36.8 × 12.7 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2018.42.1

CREDIT LINE Gift of Gwenn Miller in memory of Barbara Stoler Miller

PROVENANCE Prior to 1986, provenance not yet documented; by 1986, acquired by Barbara Stoler Miller, New York, NY; 1993, Barbara Stoler Miller to Gwen Miller by descent; 2018, gift of Gwen Miller to the Brooklyn Museum

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Male sitting astride the shoulders of a demon dwarf. The pair appear to depict the story of Balarama (an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu and the brother of Krishna) subduing the whirlwind demon, Pralamba. Pralamba attempted to abduct Balarama by using his form as a tornado to lift him into the sky, but the deity made himself heavy and eventually grounded the demon.

EXHIBITIONS

Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor

CAPTION Relief Tile Depicting Balarama Abducted by the Demon Pralamba, 5th century. Terracotta, traces of polychromy, 22 x 15 1/2 x 6 1/4 in., 27.5 lb. (55.9 x 39.4 x 15.9 cm, 12.47kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Gwenn Miller in memory of Barbara Stoler Miller, 2018.42.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, L1998.2.1_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, L1998.2.1_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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