Portrait of a Seated Shaivite Holy Man with Prayer Beads
18th century
Description
Facing right is a holy man seated cross-legged. He wear a large red turban and a white robe (jama). He has a dark, full beard. In his right hand he holds up prayer beads. The yellow marks on his forehead are known as tilaka. They can be worn on a daily basis by holy men or for religious rites and occasions. The three horizontal marks here indicate that this figure is a Shaivite, someone who venerates the Hindu god Shiva as the supreme deity. Rajput Style.
Dimensions
15.5 x 9 cm (6 1/8 x 3 9/16 in.)
Provenance
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1973 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1973.
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