Figure Item Number: Eg26 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Modeled clay figure of a tortoise. Details painted in grey and green with black outline. Head is raised slightly upwards. Underside of tortoise is pink.
History Of Use
Religious offerings are made by velar potters, usually by special arrangement. These offerings are presented to Hindu village gods during festivals and are installed in local temples. This offering is an unusual type seen in small villages. It represents a plea to the god to protect the family from the appearance of the dreaded tortoise.
Iconographic Meaning
The tortoise is symbolic of extremely bad luck in south Indian villages. There are many sayings in Tamil folklore which refer to this fear (i.e. If a tortoise passes the front door, someone in the house will die).
Cultural Context
ritual; religious offering
Item History
- Made by K. Muthusamy Velar (Maker) in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India during February 1975
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before November 1975
- Received from Stephen Inglis (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source) during November 1975
What
Who
- Culture
- South India
- Creator
- K. Muthusamy Velar (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Stephen Inglis (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
When
- Creation Date
- during February 1975
- Ownership Date
- before November 1975
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1975
Other
- Item Classes
- ceramics; carvings & sculpture
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0400/0017