Costume and Textiles Kantha (Embroidered Quilt) or Faridpur District, West Bengal, India, Asia Late 19th or early 20th century Artist/maker unknown, Bengali or India Cotton plain weave with cotton embroidery in back, buttonhole, darning, satin, running, arrowhead, dot, and fern stitches Currently not on view 1968-184-5 Gift of Stella Kramrisch, 1968 |
LabelIn Gaudiya Vaishnava belief, the lives and emotions of Krishna and Radha merge with those of their devotees. The scene at bottom shows the episode where Krishna ferries Radha and the gopis (cowherd women) across the river in a peacock boat. However, the dancing and fan-waving devotees who flank the boat indicate that the embroiderer is depicting not only the story, but also its ritual reenactment. Narrative and ritual likewise combine in the right panel with (top to bottom) a processional chariot, enshrined icons of Radha and Krishna, a short version of the story of Krishna absconding with the gopis clothes, and the divine couple in a forest clearing. Other panels show devotees dancing ecstatically, most waving their right arms in the air. Gold wedding jewelry appears in the corners of the central square. |
