spoon, for temple worship; bronze, cast, with round bowl (lotus-shaped); at handle end is figure of Krishna, shown as the avatar of Vishnu, with cobra cowl; used in temples with a dish, tashti, for anointing the gods in the service of the temple; Label from India exhibit: “Krishna, the eighth avatar of VIshnu, is represented on the head of this spoon. The cobra cowl probably represents Ananta, the cosmic serpent.
Donor:
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Ready, Jr. Fund
Collection place:
India
Person depicted:
Krishna (Hindu deity) and Vishnu (Hindu deity)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Spoons
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies