Large, Circular Brass Ghataji Shrine with Painted Krishna Image inlaid with Precious Stones

This well-executed painting of a blue-skinned Krishna playing his flute in the presence of his consort Radha, with a cow nuzzling between them, is in the Jaipur style and is under glass. The pair stand before a lotus pond, there is a peacock emerging from behind Radha and hills and trees with perched birds in the background.

The painting has ample gold highlights. Krishna’s crown and Radha’s jewellery are inlaid with tiny ruby cabochons, pearls and other precious stones.

The painting is housed in a large, round brass box with a domed lid which fits tightly, and in engraved with petal and geometric motifs. Opposite the Krishna painting, the interior of the cover is lined with a mirror.

According to Bowers (2022, p. 35), such an item is known as a ghataji shrine – smaller versions could be kept in one’s pocket or maybe worn as a protective amulet. The smaller versions follow the same format – a small round box with a cover, a painted interior under glass on one side, and occasionally a mirror on the other. Bowers says that the mirror is fitted with a mirror to ‘reflect the deity’, and illustrates various ghataji amulets – see pages 35, 73 and 115 – all in the form of the larger example here.

Such items were produced in Rajasthan for sale to pilgrims on their visit to temples.

Another view, is that such boxes were secular in function and might have served as cosmetics boxes for Hindu ladies. The mirror would have been used for the application of make-up. The subject matter of Krishna playing his flue in the presence of Radha has religious origins but also is a rendering of Krishna that easily could be used for non-religious purposes, such as in the decoration of a cosmetics box.

The painting and box are in excellent condition.