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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
  • Possible Place Made: Central region, Rajasthan, India
  • 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.
    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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