Indian Pichvai or Devotional Shrine Hanging, Framed

Dark cloth, silver trees and a row of figures that glow like lamplight.

This pichvai or devotional shrine hanging is from Deccan plateau, India, and dates to the 19th century. It is metal, pigment & cloth. Pichvais grew out of Pushti Marg, the path of grace, a sect begun in the 15th century by the philosopher Vallabhacharya, who taught worship through love, devotion and surrender. Deep brown textile with painted pale grey trees spreading wide overhead and a central standing figure flanked by women, each in muted gold and blue. A band of small cattle runs below, with a border of faint foliage. It is 72 inches wide and 87 high.

Moody, hushed, and lit entirely from within.