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Source Description
Three emeralds and many pearls surround the central part of this pendant, which features a scene from the life of Matsya at the center. The fish incarnation of the preserver god Vishnu, Matsya appears in the middle, defeating the demon Hayagriva, who emerges from a shell, grasping him by the hair. Encircling the battle are plants, flowers, and designs indicative of ocean waves. The four-headed god Brahma also watches from the left side. Below the main scene, two smaller teardrop-shaped ornaments hang down. They feature scenes of predator birds, which may allude to the courtly falcon hunts of rulers.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
95449
label
Pendant with Matsya (fish incarnation of Vishnu) defeating Hayagriva
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
95449
contentType
object
title
Pendant with Matsya (fish incarnation of Vishnu) defeating Hayagriva
description
Three emeralds and many pearls surround the central part of this pendant, which features a scene from the life of Matsya at the center. The fish incarnation of the preserver god Vishnu, Matsya appears in the middle, defeating the demon Hayagriva, who emerges from a shell, grasping him by the hair. Encircling the battle are plants, flowers, and designs indicative of ocean waves. The four-headed god Brahma also watches from the left side. Below the main scene, two smaller teardrop-shaped ornaments hang down. They feature scenes of predator birds, which may allude to the courtly falcon hunts of rulers.
date
1800s
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q79476916
genreSpecific
Jewelry
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 11.8 x 5.8 cm (4 5/8 x 2 5/16 in.)
cul
Northwestern India, Rajasthan Pratapgarh
accession
1916.119
Source extras
tec
gold, enamel, emeralds, and pearls
tombstone
Pendant with Matsya (fish incarnation of Vishnu) defeating Hayagriva, 1800s. Northwestern India, Rajasthan Pratapgarh. Gold, enamel, emeralds, and pearls; overall: 11.8 x 5.8 cm (4 5/8 x 2 5/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade, 1916.119
collection
Indian Art
didYouKnow
In Matsya’s upper hands he holds two of Vishnu’s implements: the mace and the lotus.
creditline
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade
updatedAt
2026-05-29 05:07:04.126000
sourceId
95449
dept
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
coll
Indian Art
med
gold, enamel, emeralds, and pearls
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
10afa2ff2a81ebd4