Albert Hall Museum

Black stone sculpture of Vaman Vishnu with rosary and conch-shell flanked by Ayudhpurush (bearers of Vishnu's attributes the conch and discus) and attendants. His dwarf Avatar was undertaken to subdue king Bali who had gained domination over the three worlds depriving the gods of their power and dignity. The dwarf begged the generous king for as much land only as he could cover in three steps, which the unsuspecting king granted. Then the dwarf Avatar assumed cosmic proportions and in two strides covered the heaven and earth, there being no more space for the third step except the proffered head of the humbled Bali. Thus the worlds were released from Bali's domination but respecting his virtue as a man of his word and a righteous king he was allowed dominion over Patala the nether worlds. As the legend goes his request that he be permitted to return each year at the festival of Onam to visit his people was also granted. His return in spirit is celebrated by the people of Kerala at the festival of Onam.

Stone temple door jamb with three columns containing patterns of flowers, serpent deities and panels of Gandharvas, celestial beings, in erotic postures. The lower portions show the Goddess Ganga astride her crocodile vehicle with attendants. According to Brihatsamhita texts, door jambs should invariably depict in the lower portion, river goddesses Ganga or Yamuna with attendants carrying the attributes of the main deity of the temple. The river goddesses purify the temple precincts and the devotees entering to worship by destroying their sins. The remaining portion of the door jamb were to be decorated with patterns of flowers, serpents, pots with sacred coconuts, erotic themes, dwarfs, lions and elephants, lotus and conch-shells.

Bengal's low lying landscape is sustained by its water channels and alluvial soil that is a rich source of clay. It is clay rather than stone which is the indigenous material of the area; clay has been the medium through which Bengali culture has expressed itself for thousands of years through both fired and unfired techniques. The wheel is used for most of the vessels. Unusual faceting of a lidded bowl is one of the prize objects in this group. Intricate raised tendril like modelling is also a special characteristic of this group showing skilled workmanship and a decorative tradition of modelling. Slip is applied and burnished to give a shiny and waterproof surface after firing.

An ornamental knife and its blade has single side edge with pointed tip. Koft work is present on the blade near the hilt. Hilt is highly decorated with coral and turquoise at one side. Back side has floral decoration as relief. Scabbard is also decorated in the same manner where one side is decorated with coral and turquoise and other side with relief.

A hexagonal, flat, carved, perforated box made of soap stone. It is supported on six legs. Floral and geometrical patterns can be seen on it. It has a cover having a domical shaped knob, from Agra.

Front part of Almirah with carved floral design in arch pattern. It has perforations in the centre.

A hairpin with carved handle with three swans, from Burma.

White quartz clay ‘Pilgrim Flask’ showing Narsimha Avatar. Neck is shaped like a pineapple. Cobalt blue,  copper blue and green shading on white ground under transparent glaze, Jaipur School of Art, Jaipur.