SOUTH INDIA, 1800-1850

A ruby-inlaid gold Gopalakrishna temple pendant was exhibited in Doha in 2002 (Leng Tan, Jewelled Treasures from the Mughal Courts, London, 2002, pp.46-49, no.12). Attributed to late 17th century India, the detailed note links it to two slightly later examples. One was donated in the 18th century to the Krishna Math (monastery) in Udupi by the Queen of Keladi, the other was donated at a similar time to the Sri Saradamba Temple at Shringeri by Rani Chennamma of Kittur. Further ritual objects remain at these and other related temples, mostly having been donated by the members of the local royal families. It is interesting that in none of these objects are sapphires used. They were available from Kashmir and are the stone that would best reflect the color of The Blue God.

The relationship between Krishna and the multi-headed snake is complicated. Krishna achieved mastery over Kaliya, the poisonous multi-headed snake who was terrorizing the neighborhood, by dancing on his head until he submitted. Ichnographically in this spoon Krishna adopts precisely the dancing position that is associated with this event, but here the snake’s hood rears up over him protectively, an image that immediately recalls Ananta Vishnu, the protection of Vishnu (whose avatar Krishna is) by Shesha, the Nagaraja or Lord of the Snakes. The head of this spoon combines the two elements in one icon.