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Conch Shell with a Figure of Hevajra

From KhmerConnection
Conch Shell with a Figure of Hevajra
Object typeRitual object
Materialshell and bronze
Period1100s
Holding institutionCleveland Museum of Art
Catalogue reference1977.176
SubjectsReligion & Spiritual Life; Crafts & Material Culture

Conch Shell with a Figure of Hevajra is a Khmer ritual object in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, catalogued as 1977.176. (Cleveland Museum of Art)

Description

The conch shell was blown at the start of rituals to make the sound corresponding to the syllable om. The dancing figure of Hevajra, a Buddhist being of enlightenment with eight heads, sixteen arms, and four legs, has been worked into the bronze embellishment of the shell. The tripod stand with three serpents is probably not original to the shell. (Cleveland Museum of Art)

Catalogue reference

The Cleveland Museum of Art records the object as 1977.176. The same record gives the material as shell and bronze and the period as 1100s. (Cleveland Museum of Art)

Provenance

The Cleveland Museum of Art records the object as Cambodian work of the Angkor period. (Cleveland Museum of Art)

Sources