Many Hindu and Buddhist objects are made in the shape of peacocks as protective creatures. Hindus believe its feathers protect energy, bring prosperity and are a reminder of the celebration of life. In India peacocks have historically been common motifs in Indian ancient stories, poems, songs and art as symbols of love, joy, peace, harmony and poise and have a strong and auspicious tradition in Hindu religion and mysticism. Many Hindu sculptures use peacocks as a symbol of the cycle of time since it represents the succession of temporal cycles in Hindu cosmogony. Lord Vishnu used a feather from Garuda, the majestic bird that carries him on its back, to create the peacock. It is closely associated with many other deities: Lakshmi, Saraswati and Krishna. It is regarded as a protective creature for the physical and psychic self as its screech is a warning of possible danger. In the home its feathers are believed to protect the energy in the environment and to bring prosperity. It is a constant reminder of the celebration of life as during courting the male bird dances for the benefit of the female. In 1963, it was declared the India’s National Bird.
Some Hindu legends claim that the Buddha was a golden peacock in a previous birth. In Buddhism it is 83 of the 108 images on the Buddha’s footprint, it represents the short-lived nature of all things since its forms appear and vanish as swiftly it displays and furls its tail, and in esoteric Buddhism it is a symbol of wholeness that combines all colors in its tail. It is used in Burmese folk art, architecture and on utilitarian carvings such as heddle pulleys and ox carts as the emblem of its last dynasty the Kon-baung Dynasty (1845-1941). The Peacock Dance is performed to end droughts and peacocks are sacrificed to bring rain and the heavenly gift of fertility. It also symbolizes beauty and dignity and the desire for peace and prosperity.
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Oil lamps (diya) are used daily by Hindus throughout India for prayer rituals (puja) performed on a home altar or in temples for devotional worship. Hindus believe that diyas are essential, as light itself is the absence of darkness and where evil forces dwell. Light and the act of lighting a lamp signify purity, virtuosity,…
Heddle pulleys were used in strip-weaving, a small-loom process producing long cloth strips sewn together creating a larger textile such as blankets and ritual cloths. A source of pride for the carver, heddles were decorated with carved figures or animals symbolizing auspicious beings scholars believe protect the weavers and assure their weavings were of good…
Burmese carvings are known for fine craftsmanship, masterful decoration, and functional items including carved heddle pulleys used in strip-weaving. In pairs at the top of the loom, heddles are functional and aesthetic and usually were decorated with auspicious images symbolizing figures or animals protecting the weaver and assured good quality weaving that pleased the gods…
This elegant heddle pulley with a hamsa is carved from a single piece of Burmese teak and portrayed with deeply cut wings to express well-articulated feathers. Having an unusually long tail, it runs from his rear and curves to the top of its head. Its feet are atop two connected heart-shaped panels that hide the moving thimble between them providing a more artistic feel. This piece is in very good condition, is wonderfully weathered, and has with minor losses with a fine patina covers its originally painted surface. Mounted on a black wood base, this heddle pulley pairs well with item number 11298A.
Peacocks have a long and glorious history in India. They are part of Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata and the Rigveda, India’s oldest sacred Sanskrit text. A Sanskrit verse claims “The gorgeous peacock is the glory of God.” Peacocks are intertwined with many Hindu deities: they are the vehicles (vahana) of Kartikeya the…
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…
An Indian toran or bandhanwar is a beadwork tapestry traditionally placed at home doorways and thresholds and symbolize warmth, positivity, and protection. Their origin lies in ancient Hindu religious texts which are part of the Vedas, the vast genre of Indian literature that includes myths, legends, traditional philosophy, lore and rituals (circa 1500-1000 BC). They…
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