Sati stone (memorial plaque of a widow)

India / South Asia Collection

Accession Nr.: 2025
Type: stone carving
Date of production:
17th-18th c.
Place of production:
Acquisition: donation of Imre Schwaiger
Materials: slate
Techniques: carved
Dimensions: height: 61 cm
width: 40 cm
depth: 7 cm
Memorial plaque of a widow who voluntarily entered a bonfire. Columnar frame, divided into two floors. Top ceiling closure. Above this the Sun and the Moon are depicted on the two sides. In the upper niche to the left the deceased husbandis depicetd, to the left stands the widow. They both hold their hands in namaskara-mudra. In the lower cab is an ornate carriage with a mounted horse and a coachman sitting on the pole. On either side of the lower niche in the columns symbols. are visible. The left is worn down, the right is a known sign of sati-self-sacrifice, a woman's hand.
Schist.