Antique/Vintage Framed Glass Painting of Krishna Playing his Flute, India #3982MCE

Description

This framed glass folk-art painting of Krishna, the Hindu god of compassion, protection and love, was once inset as a front panel along with the  Peacock Panel (3983MCE) in a decorative antique Indian cabinet or chest. In Hinduism when the world is threatened with evil, chaos or destructive forces, Vishnu descends to earth as one of his incarnations (avatars) to restore cosmic order and protect sacred teachings. Krishna is one of the most important Vishnu avatars who defeated the demon Narakasura and freed his kingdom’s people, an act which symbolizes righteousness, removal of darkness and achieving prosperity, peace and happiness. As one of the most popular Indian divinities and focus of many cults, his mythology, feats and vibrant personality have inspired religious music, painting and poetry. He is also the central character in the epics the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. Myths about him stress his duality: he is a god disguised as a mortal,  a prince disguised as a commoner and his miraculous feats reveal him as the punisher of human misdeeds but also the bringer of enlightenment (worldhistory.org). His name means “dark one,” he is referred to as the Blue Lord and is often depicted with blue skin. His most common portrayal is as Venugopala (cowherd with a flute) with him playfully serenading a massive herd of cows and Gopis (wives and daughters of the cowherds) with magical melodies of his flute in the bucolic groves at Brindavan (Norton Simon). He wears a bright yellow dhoti, his favorite color and nine jewels including studded amulets, bracelets, signet ring, anklets and a pearl necklace. The ornate peacock feathers in his long black hair are worn in deference to the peacocks who laid their feathers in front of him to honor his melodious flute playing. Uniquely framed, this panel is greatly enhanced by being displayed as a pair with the panel Peacock (3983MCE) .

Click to view the  VA Instagram post on the Krishna Glass Painting (3982MCE)

Sources

Britannica.com, Krishna Hindu Deity, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Krishna-Hindu-deity

Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, Ca., Painted Wooden Indian Temple Panels, Kerala, India, descriptive tags.

worldhistory.org, World History Encyclopedia, “Krishna.” https://www.worldhistory.org/Krishna/