Palanquin Hooks, 12th-13th century
Khmerexpand_more
Bronze with traces of gildingexpand_more
Gift of funds from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cleveland in honor of Mrs. Peggy Lindborg and Dr. Robert Jacobsenexpand_more 87.75.1a,b
On View in Gallery 213expand_more
At the height of the Khmer Empire (802–1437 CE), royalty and aristocracy traveled in handheld carriages, or palanquins. Transported on poles shouldered by humans, the carriage was suspended from decorative bronze hooks. Rich in imagery, the top ring consists of stylized lotuses, symbolizing purity, surmounted by a bud. Beneath is a kirtimukha, a fierce-faced monster motif intended to ward off evil spirits, which is lifted by Garuda, a mythical bird often depicted carrying the Hindu god Vishnu through the sky. Underscoring Khmer ideas of divine kingship, Garuda is also a conqueror of serpents (nagas), which form the loops hanging from its tail. As seen in the waterpot (kendi) on the left, Hindu theology arrived from India, but the combination of such elements into a luxurious, utilitarian bronze is distinctly Khmer.
Explore
Audio
Details
- Title
- Palanquin Hooks
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 87.75.1a,b
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.