Sculpture of a gandharva or celestial drummer, late 12th - early 13th century, Halebid, Karnataka, India.

This figure of a gandharva or celestial drummer was produced in high relief. The sculptor appears to have carved this figure from a long thin square-sectioned piece of stone and worked along a diagonal axis. Originally, it would have formed part of a niche group, which was most probably situated on the exterior of a major temple.

The gandharva is captured in the act of playing a drum. His shoulders are tensed as he beats the drum, whilst his knees are bent to provide it additional support. The treatment of this subject has given the figure considerable vitality. Features such as the flamboyant foliage that forms a canopy above his head, as well as the extravagant detailled jewellery and crown, together suggest that this sculpture came from a temple that was built in the southern Deccan during the early thirteenth century. Prior to that period, the Jains had been slow to exploit this ornate style, which had evolved under the patronage of Hindu Hoysala rulers. The Hoysala's patronage of this style is evidenced by the numerous temples that were built during the reigns of Vira Ballala II (1173-1220) and Narasimha II (1220-39). In the late twelfth century, Vira Ballala II also built the Jain temple of Santisvara Basti in Sravana Belgola. The external reliefs of which depict celestial drummers, this broke with the Jain convention for unadorned temple exteriors.

This sculpture would have formed part of a corner section of the temple's exterior. The sculptor has ingeniously accommodated the form in such a way that the figure is visible from both sides. This may explain why the drummer seemingly strikes an awkward posture in the illustration. Since he supports his drum with his left thigh, grasps it with his left hand, and beats the instrument with his right hand.

Purchased from Lady Ann Gorell-Barnes

In 1894 this sculpture was presented to Lady Lethbridge, the vendor's mother and wife of Sir Roper Lethbridge, K.C.I.E. by the Diwan of Mysore. Sir Lethbridge was a British academic who served in India in various posts as a member of the civil service. He was a fellow of Calcutta University, a member of the Asiatic Society of Bengal as well as an MP for Kensington North from 1885-92. It was exhibited in London shortly afterwards, possibly at the Empire Exhibition of 1895.

Purchased from Lady Ann Gorell-Barnes, 46B Courtfield Gardens, S.W.5. 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.P. 1920-6710

The gandharva represents a class of semi-divine beings whose role was to serve as attendants to the principal deity. Over time, they came to be conceived of principally as musicians, and were represented playing a variety of instruments. They are regularly shown attending the main deity, or can also appear autonomously as part of a larger sculptural programme. They are a regular feature of both Hindu and Jain temples; this sculpture could be accommodated by either faith. Although, within the Jain context a gandharva is considered to be a type of vyantaradevata, or inferior deity.

Halebid, India

This is a figure of a gandharva or celestial musician. These semi-divine beings served as attendants to the principle deity. They are a regular feature of both Hindu and Jain temples, and are accommodated by both faiths.

The gandharva is carved in high relief and would have formed part of a niche group, that was most probably situated on the exterior of a major temple. His shoulders are tensed, as he holds and plays the drum, which is also supported by his bent knees. This treatment captures the movement involved in playing the drum and gives the figure considerable vitality.

The flamboyant foliage and the extravagant detailled jewellery and crown help to date this sculpture. It is believed that it belonged to a temple that was built in the early 13th century in the southern Deccan. This ornate style can be seen on numerous temples that were built during the period 1173-1239.

In the late 12th century, Vira Ballala II built the Jain temple of Santisvara Basti in Sravana Belgola. Around the exterior of which there are reliefs that depict celestial drummers, these reliefs demonstrate a break with the Jain convention for unadorned temple exteriors.Since Jain temples during this period in south India were relatively plain and unadorned.

IM.302-1920