Indian Plaque Depicting Deities, Based

A pointed arch of silver, crowded with tiny figures and floral work.

This silver plaque depicting deities was made in Rajasthan, India, and is dated in the record to the 19th century or earlier. Plaques of this kind were commonly made as devotional objects or ornaments, and deities were often shown in niches or beneath arches. The shape is a peaked panel, its surface raised in low relief with small seated forms in the center and ornament scattered around them. The silver has gone dull and warm, with darker grime settled into the recesses. It stands on a slim black metal mount.

On its mount, it reads like a tiny temple facade. A good thing to put at eye level.