Title
Hand Mirror Decorated With the Ten Avatars of Vishnu
Year/Period
19th century
Region
South India
Object Type
hand mirrors
Material
ivory (material), bone (material)
Technique
forming (physical activity)
Dimension
25.0 cm
25.0 x 7.8 x 0.9 cm
Accession No.
2016-00124
Collection of
NLB Type
Cultural artefact
Elaborate and ornamental objects such as this rare ivory hand mirror were not meant for everyday use. They were created as luxury accessories, and were often included in dowries. While the handle is decorated with flowers and intertwining branches, the back of the mirror is carved with the Dashavatar or ten avatars of Vishnu; a standing Vishnu is placed within an oval frame, surrounded, in anti-clockwise direction are the ten avatars.
