Tanjore Reverse Glass Painting Of Saraswati Playing A Veena - 19thC

This old Indian reverse glass painting is painted in the Tanjore style and depicts the Hindu goddess Saraswati playing a saraswati veena, a stringed and plucked Indian musical instrument to which she gave her name. The first veena is thought to have been made circa 1700BC. She is seen here performing alongside a deer. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music, art, and learning. She is often pictured playing music with an animal. usually a swan or peacock. 

Reverse glass paintings are made by painting on the back of the glass. It first became popular in the 16^th century in Europe and saw a resurgence in the 18^th & 19^th centuries with the growth of trade between Western Empires & China. The art then spread from China to India in the 19^th century. The South Indian city of Tanjore became a hub for reverse glass painting. Few pieces have survived due to their fragile nature. 

Dimensions:

23 x 2 x 28 (wxdxh cms)

From India

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