Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Lintel Depicting the Lingodbhavamurti Myth and a King's Consecration
Not on view
Two great events are depicted in this unique composition—one mythical, the other actual. The latter appears to be commemorative, recording the legitimizing ceremony of a local king. The myth, in the upper register, the Lingodbhavamurti, tells of a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu, resolved when a flaming pillar appears before the two gods and Shiva reveals himself as the supreme authority. Below, an enthroned king is lustrated by priests. This ritual bathing, abhisheka, is, in the context of kingship, associated with consecration and the conferring of divine status.
cat. no. 88
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
