GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This elaborate armband from Thanjavur was associated with jewelry worn by practitioners of Bharatanatyam, a classical south Indian dance form that originated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It was originally performed in temples by highly trained and educated women who served the deity and thus did not marry. Performers wore elaborate costumes and jewelry that reflected the wealth of the temple to which they belonged.
This arm band with mythical beasts, birds, and floral forms rendered in a high relief repoussé would have sparkled as the dancer made her many elaborate hand and arm gestures in homage to the deities.
Adapted from
- Catherine Asher, "Arm band" in The Arts of India, South East Asia, and the Himalayas, Anne R. Bromberg (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 138.
NOTES
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
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Geography
Tamil Nadu: TGN: 7001797
India (nation): TGN: 7000198
Thanjavur (inhabited place): TGN: 7016825
Process/materials
repoussé: AAT: 300054023
gold (metal): AAT: 300011021
pearls (animal material): AAT: 300011827
ruby: AAT: 300011082
Historical periods
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
Individuals
Subject terms
armbands: AAT: 300247490
RELATED OBJECTS
1999.2; 1996.211
PROVENANCE
From 1997: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of David T. Owsley through the Alconda-Owsley Foundation [1]
Before 1997: Ernst Egon von Lixfeld, Scottsdale Az. [2]
[1] See Deed of Gift (dated January 6, 1997, copy in object file).
[2] A letter from Ernst Egon von Lixfeld of the Jewel of the Lotus to Dr. Anne Bromberg of the Dallas Museum of Art (dated November 11, 1996) documents that the arm band had been in the collection of von Lixfeld since its official exportation from India.
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General Description
This elaborate armband from Thanjavur was associated with jewelry worn by practitioners of Bharatanatyam, a classical south Indian dance form that originated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It was originally performed in temples by highly trained and educated women who served the deity and thus did not marry. Performers wore elaborate costumes and jewelry that reflected the wealth of the temple to which they belonged.
This arm band with mythical beasts, birds, and floral forms rendered in a high relief repoussé would have sparkled as the dancer made her many elaborate hand and arm gestures in homage to the deities.
Adapted from
- Catherine Asher, "Arm band" in The Arts of India, South East Asia, and the Himalayas, Anne R. Bromberg (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 138.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Tamil Nadu: TGN: 7001797
India (nation): TGN: 7000198
Thanjavur (inhabited place): TGN: 7016825
Process/materials
repoussé: AAT: 300054023
gold (metal): AAT: 300011021
pearls (animal material): AAT: 300011827
ruby: AAT: 300011082
Historical periods
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
Individuals
Subject terms
armbands: AAT: 300247490
RELATED OBJECTS
1999.2; 1996.211
PROVENANCE
From 1997: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of David T. Owsley through the Alconda-Owsley Foundation [1]
Before 1997: Ernst Egon von Lixfeld, Scottsdale Az. [2]
[1] See Deed of Gift (dated January 6, 1997, copy in object file).
[2] A letter from Ernst Egon von Lixfeld of the Jewel of the Lotus to Dr. Anne Bromberg of the Dallas Museum of Art (dated November 11, 1996) documents that the arm band had been in the collection of von Lixfeld since its official exportation from India.
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