Lot 154
A SMALL PORTABLE 'KAVAD' PAINTED WITH STORIES OF KRISHNA
INDIA, RAJASTAN, BASSI, FIRST HALF OF 20TH CENTURY
Auction: 09 December 2026 from 14:00 GMT
Description
painted in polychrome on wood, the shrine opens to reveal scenes from the life of Krishna, episodes from the Ramayana, and images of pilgrims, while the central sanctuary houses three sculpted figures that may depict Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana
Dimensions
31cm x 21cm x 15.5cm
Provenance
Formerly in a private collection, UK.
Footnote
This painted wooden shrine, or kavad, unfolds like a portable picture book, revealing scenes from Hindu epics. It serves as a storytelling device for travelling bards, who narrated stories of gods, heroes, and devotion as each painted panel was opened. Episodes such as Rama’s exploits and Krishna’s miracles appear in successive compartments, bringing the narratives to life. While rooted in hereditary storytelling traditions, this kavad reflects the continuing relevance of the art form as a vehicle for religious expression, cultural memory, and the preservation of oral storytelling.