Mask of the deity Panjurli

Object Details

• Description

  The mask depicts the head of a boar with an elaborate headdress and earrings. The headdress is decorated with rows of cobra heads. The earrings on the mask are also decorated with cobra heads and additionally, on one, a human figure, and on the other, an elephant head. Two of the cobra heads each has hanging from it a small heart-shaped pendant with a bead at the end.

• Provenance

  Early 20th century-?

  Ownership information unknown

  ?-1999

  Dr. Siddharth K. Bhansali, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From 1999

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Siddharth K. Bhansali [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See “Incoming Receipt,” dated January 5, 1999, copy in object file. Object is described as “India, Boar’s head mask, brass.” The object was transferred from Dr. Siddharth K. Bhansali to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for acquisition consideration on January 5, 1999.

  Dr. Siddharth K. Bhansali of New Orleans, LA is a cardiologist and an important collector of Indian bronze sculpture, as well as Indian paintings and photographs. A native of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India, Dr. Bhansali began collecting Indian bronzes around 1976 and his collection of over 1,000 Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain bronzes covers fifteen centuries of art. In 2011, about one hundred works from his collection were featured in the exhibition at the New Orleans Museum of Art titled “The Elegant Image:

  Hindu, Buddhist and Jain Bronzes From The Indian Subcontinent In The Siddharth K. Bhansali Collection” which was curated by Dr. Pratapaditya Pal. Dr. Bhansali is also a patron of the arts in New Orleans and works from his collection may also be found at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

  [3] See Arthur M. Sackler, “Acquisition Consideration Form,” approved on March 10, 1999, copy in object file.

  See also “Deed of Gift to the Arthur M. Sacker Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution,” dated April 8, 1999, copy in object file.

  Research updated June 13, 2023

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas (March 25, 2023 - ongoing)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Dr. Siddharth K. Bhansali

• Origin

  Karnataka state, India

• Credit Line

  Gift of Dr. Siddharth K. Bhansali

• Type

  Mask

• On View

  Sackler Gallery 22a: The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1930s, 1900s

• Name

  Bhansali, Siddharth K.

• Place

  Karnataka state, India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Boar, Cobra, Art, Sculpture, Metal-work

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Masks

• On View

  Yes