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SHIVA WITH HIS FAMILY
KANGRA, CIRCA 1820
Inscribed in Nagari, ‘Vasudeo and Veerbhadra’
at the centre right
Gouache on paper heightened with gold
Image: 8.5 x 5.5 in (22.1 x 14.2 cm)
Folio: 9.75 x 7.5 in (25.2 x 19.6 cm)
Rs 8,00,000 - 12,00,000
$ 11,945 - 17,915
NON‒EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
PROVENANCE
Property from a Distinguished Family Collection
Shiva and his family are celebrated in this joyous scene
which shows Shiva with his snake Vasuki around his neck,
and Parvati seated beside him. On Shiva’s lap is a playful
Ganesha, while Kartikeya stands affectionately behind his
mother. Kartikeya has six heads, each representing his virtues,
as well as the five senses and the mind, which enable him
to combat problems approaching from any direction. Their
mounts – Nandi the bull, a tiger, Mooshika the mouse and a
graceful peacock surround them. Vasudeva and Veerbhadra
attend to the family with a
morchal
and peacock fan. Finely
decorated with detailed foliage and flowers, the mountains
in the background are typical of Kangra school depictions of
Mount Kailash, the abode of Shiva.