Wall Hanging (Puthia) depicting the Feet of a Jain Monk
Artist/maker unknown, Indian
Geography:
Made in Gujarat, India, Asia
Date:
1667 (Samvat 1724)Medium:
Silk plain weave with silk, silver, and silver gilt thread embroidery in couching, chain, darning, and satin stitchesDimensions:
13 x 15 1/8 inches (33 x 38.4 cm)Curatorial Department:
Costume and TextilesObject Location:
1996-50-1Credit Line:
Purchased with the Stella Kramrisch Fund, 1996
Made in Gujarat, India, Asia
Date:
1667 (Samvat 1724)Medium:
Silk plain weave with silk, silver, and silver gilt thread embroidery in couching, chain, darning, and satin stitchesDimensions:
13 x 15 1/8 inches (33 x 38.4 cm)Curatorial Department:
Costume and TextilesObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1996-50-1Credit Line:
Purchased with the Stella Kramrisch Fund, 1996
Label:
Across the top of this embroidery, the name and title of the guru Vijenji are inscribed in Sanskrit. The presence of the holy teacher is indicated symbolically by his footprints, rather than his bodily form. In Indian culture, body parts have different values; the head is most revered, and the feet the least; thus, the worship of someone's feet is an expression of true reverence. Subtly embroidered in the right foot in a contrasting satin stitch is a svastika, an ancient Indian symbol of well-being. To either side of the footprints, small worshipers in colorful robes hold fly whisks to honor the guru.
Across the top of this embroidery, the name and title of the guru Vijenji are inscribed in Sanskrit. The presence of the holy teacher is indicated symbolically by his footprints, rather than his bodily form. In Indian culture, body parts have different values; the head is most revered, and the feet the least; thus, the worship of someone's feet is an expression of true reverence. Subtly embroidered in the right foot in a contrasting satin stitch is a svastika, an ancient Indian symbol of well-being. To either side of the footprints, small worshipers in colorful robes hold fly whisks to honor the guru.
Explore the Collections
The Fine Art of TextilesThis iconic image, which is inscribed in Sanskrit with the name and title of the guru Vijenji, is worshiped in a similar way to an image of the footprints of the Hindu god Vishnu (Vishnupada). Dilys E. Blum, from The Fine Art of Textiles: The Collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1997), p. 130.
