Conch Shell with a Figure of Hevajra
Unknown Artist
1100s
Medium
shell and bronze
Dimensions
h. 35 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
1977.176
About this artwork
A royal temple like Banteay Chhmar was built for performing rituals and to honor images of gods, Buddhas, and other sacred or enlightened beings for the sake of the kingdom’s protection and ongoing prosperity. Conch shells were 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. Hevajra was elevat...