Title
Ring with Sri inscription
Year/Period
8th-11th century
Region
Java, Indonesia
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: L2.1 x W2.0 cm
Accession No.
1997-03631
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng
This is an example of cast gold ring which features a stylised Kawi inscription with a lotus motif. This lotus symbol is probably a stylistic evolution of the word ‘Sri’ written in Old Javanese script. Besides the lotus, other symbols related to the goddess Sri include an earthen pot containing the water of life, and a conch. Sri was the Hindu goddess of rice, fertility, good fortune, and prosperity in general, and rings with Sri motifs were probably believed to bring luck to the wearer. Sri was initially worshipped as a goddess in her own right, but later Hindu mythology had it that she was the consort of Vishnu.
