{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O83931"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O83931/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019ME6076/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019ME6076/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2019ME6076","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017KN4694","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017KN4671","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O83931/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O83931","accessionNumber":"IM.40-1917","objectType":"Relief panel","titles":[{"title":"Brahma","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"The panel is carved in high-relief with a figure seated crossed legs in lotus position and two palms held joined together near the breast. The body is depicted with a paunch. The three faces turned to the front and to each side. The ribbed hair is braided into three elaborate cone shapes with a lotus finial resting upon them.  Apart from the headgear, the sculpture is devoid of any ornamentation and attribute. The upper torso of the image is bare, but the lower part of the body is clad. The hand and seating postures as well as long ear-lobes are notable for their Buddhist influence.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"sandstone","id":"AAT11376"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Grey sandstone, with traces of yellow pigment","categories":[{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2019ME6076","2017KN4694","2017KN4671"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"009","id":"THES373772"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Panel","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Burma","id":"x30037"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"11th century","earliest":"1000-01-01","latest":"1100-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Mrs. Grace S. Anderson in memory of her husband John Anderson, M. D., C. E. O., F. R. S","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"33.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"24.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"at base","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This sculpture is one of the series collected by Dr John Anderson, a Scottish zoologist at the India Museum, Calcutta between 1865-86 who travelled through upper Burma in 1869 on the first British Expedition to Yunnan. Bequeathed by Mrs G.S. Anderson.\r\n\r\nBequeathed by Mrs. Grace S. Anderson in memory of her husband John Anderson, M. D., C. E. O., F. R. S. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.\r\n\r\nR.P. 1917-3573M","historicalContext":"Brahma comprises one of three major deties of the Hindu pantheon, Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. Brahma is depicted generally with four faces in accordance with the Hindu  iconography.","briefDescription":"Relief panel with the figure of Brahma. Carved grey sandstone with traces of yellow pigment. Probably Burmese. 11th century.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Arts of Bengal : the heritage of Bangladesh and eastern India : an exhibition organized by the Whitechapel Art Gallery in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum : 9 November-30 December 1979, Whitechapel Art Gallery ..., 12 January-17 February 1980, Manchester City Art Gallery ... . [London]: Whitechapel Art Gallery, [1979] Number: 085488047X (pbk.) :","id":"AUTH339757"},"details":"p.28","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"burma to Myanmar","id":"AUTH399604"},"details":"p. 67 and fig. 2.23","free":""}],"production":"Possibly from the Mon capital of Thaton.\r\n\r\nFor almost identical pieces see G.H. Luce, \"Old Burma: Early Pagan\", vol. I, pp.210-213; vol. II, pp.183-184; vol. III, pl.416; also vol. I, Chap. XVII, pp.352-353, and vol. III, pl.248-251 where these images can clearly be seen in situ.\r\n\r\nStone figure of Brahma from the pedastal of \"Myebon Tha - Paya, Pagan , Burma\", now at the Pagan Museum: note from U. Bokay, Conservator & Curator, Archaeology Department, Pagan Museum, Burma.","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Hinduism","id":"AAT73727"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["IM.40-1917"],"accessionNumberNum":"40","accessionNumberPrefix":"IM","accessionYear":1917,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-06-04","recordCreationDate":"2003-09-02","availableToBook":true}}