Shakuntala in the forest

Decorative plate

India / South Asia Collection

Accession Nr.: 58.357.1
Type: vessel; ceramics
Date of production:
second half of 19th c.
Place of production:
Materials: clay
Techniques: fired; glazed; painted
Dimensions: diameter: 57.8 cm
Glazed hard terracotta decorative plate with burnt paint. The picture in the middle of the plate shows an episode from Kalidasa's adaptation of the story known from the Mahabharata. Shakuntala, who is about to leave the forest, is blessed by hermit father Kanva. A small deer clings to the girl, and her two friends, Priyamvada and Anusuja, are standing next to her. Behind Kanva are Sharngarava and Sharadvata. Palm leaf hermit's hut in the background. Naive, natural representation, little stylized. The image is decorated with a wide floral pattern running around the plate, with wild geese, swans and waterfowl on it.

Inscription on the back: Sri and other illegible marks, probably abbreviations. The plate might come from the state of Gujarat.