Context
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New York for the 76th United Nations General Assembly, the United States presented him with 157 antiquities and artefacts.
What is in the list?
- The list of 157 artefacts includes a diverse set, with items ranging from 1.5 metre bas relief panel of Revanta in sandstone from 10th CE, to the 8.5 cm tall, exquisite bronze Nataraja from the 12th CE.
- The items largely belong to the period of 11th CE to 14th CE, as well as historic antiquities such as the copper anthropomorphic object of 2000 BC, or the terracotta vase from the 2nd CE.
- Some 45 antiquities belong to Before Common Era (BCE)
List of important items
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Nataraja
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- With its design and dimensions based on Hindu writings on art, the sculpture represents Shiva as the lord of dance and dramatic arts.
- This bronze four-armed item depicts Abhaya Mudra with his lower left hand thrown across his body, his upper left hand holding a flame in an open palm, and his right hand holding a damaru.
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Thirthankaas: 12th Century CE
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- On a pedestal, three Thirthankaras are seated.
- On the back of the prabhaali, there is an inscription
- Dates from the 12th century.
- It documents Jasadeva's donation of the image to the Brahma gotra.
- A Tirthankara is a person who has mastered the sasra, or cycle of death and rebirth, on their own and paved the way for others to follow.
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Paper Painting depicting Rasikpriya and Lingodhbhava
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- (Left) This is a large painting on paper by an anonymous painter depicting the scene possibly influenced by the famed works of Rasikapriya composed by poet Keshava Das [1555-1617]. The reverse of the painting bears a rubber stamp marking which clearly states that it once formed part of the personal collection of Maharaja of Bikaner and was duly accessioned in 1964.
- (Right) This object is depicting Siva as Lingodhbhava. The image depicts a four-armed Siva within the linga, representing the eternal flame. On the bottom Vishnu is depicted as a boar digging deep into the earth. Brahma is depicted as a swan flying to reach the sky.
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Lord Buddha, Quranic verses
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- (Left) A red speckled sandstone statue of Lord Buddha from the 7th-8th centuries.
- (right) Copper and brass plates with Quranic verses.
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Surya-Brahma
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- (Left) Surya:Riding on a chariot drawn by seven horses.
- (right) Brahma: Three-headed, two-armed holding Kamandala in left hand and rosary in right hand.
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Standing Buddha
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- Religious sculptures from Buddhism - Standing Buddha
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