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Collection
Victoria and Albert Museum
Sculpture

Sculpture, circa 18th century

Sculpture

circa 18th century · Sculpture · 45 × 28 cm

May one see it?

Not receiving at present

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked: 7 days ago
In this state since: Sep 25, 2026
Source: The museum's own collection data

On the map Museum page

About the sculpture

This granite figure depicts a seated Hindu ascetic, bearded and with long flowing hair. He is wearing a rosary and using a meditation strap (‘yogapatta’) around his torso and knees to allow him to maintain his posture. The sculpture was most likely created for a religious site, such as a temple or Hindu monastery ('matha'). It probably represents a known Hindu ascetic renowned for his meditative skills or the performance of austere rituals.

Such 'portrait' sculptures are rare. When found they are usually cast in bronze so this large-scale granite figure is most unusual.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Particulars

Accession number: IS.252-1953

What it shows

In the catalog

Nayak Tamil Nadu

Sources

Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 7 days ago
Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Neighbors at Victoria and Albert Museum

Statuette, Johann Joachim Kändler, late 18th century

design by Johann Joachim Kaendler, manufactured by Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH

Statuette, late 18th century

Figurine, 700-800

Figurine, 700-800

Buddha Sakyamuni, 9th century-10th century

Buddha Sakyamuni, 9th century-10th century

Jina Parsvanatha, Chakravarti Paloja, late 12th century - early 14th century

Chakravarti Paloja

Jina Parsvanatha, late 12th century - early 14th century

Figurine, 1127-1279, or later

Figurine, 1127-1279, or later

Seated Buddha, early 3rd century

Seated Buddha, early 3rd century

Figure, 618-907

Figure, 618-907

Ghiberti: design for a mosaic in the Museum (the 'Kensington Valhalla'), Edward Henry Wehnert, mid 1860s

Edward Henry Wehnert

Ghiberti: design for a mosaic in the Museum (the 'Kensington Valhalla'), mid 1860s

Sculpture · ART WIKI