Deity Earring with Vishnu on Garuda (front) and chepu (monster mask) (back)
Unknown Artist
1600s or 1700s
Medium
Gold set with precious and semi-precious stones
Dimensions
9.5 × 6.9 cm
Classification
Jewelry
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1915.338.1
About this artwork
A green Vishnu with four arms, each holding his attributes of discus (his upper right hand), mace (upper left), lotus (lower right), and conch (in pearl, lower left) rides on a coral Garuda with lapis wings, arms outstretched. The blue figures on either side are probably celestial beings praising him in dance postures, with one leg crossed over the other. On the back side, delicate filigree floral scrolls form the backdrop of a protective mask popular in Nepal; a sun over a crescent moon are inl...