Divinity Atlas

Sacred Correspondences
Sacred Art & Iconography

Varuna Holding a Noose and Riding a Swan (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 19.90)

Sandstone, India, 6th to 8th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art 19.90

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A 6th to 8th century Indian sandstone relief titled "Varuna Holding a Noose and Riding a Swan," roughly a foot high, showing the deity's standard noose and swan mount. Held today by the Metropolitan Museum of Art under accession 19.90, Asian Art department, acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1919.

Facts
Origins
Creation
500 to 799 CE 1
Date of Creation
6th-8th century 1
Country
India 1
Subject Matter
Depicted Subject
Varuna, the Vedic god of cosmic order and the waters, holding his noose and riding his swan mount 1
Custody
Current Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 1
Current Custodian
The Metropolitan Museum of Art 1
Custody History
Rogers Fund, 1919 1
Attributions
Tradition
Hinduism 1
Physical Form
Medium
Sandstone 1
Dimensions
H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); W. 11 in. (27.9 cm); D. 3 in. (7.6 cm) 1
Rights and Reproduction
Reproduction and Copyright
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has designated this work as being in the public domain and makes it available through its Open Access policy; no permission is required for reproduction. 1
Cross-Tradition Connections

Belongs to Tradition

Depicts

Varuna, Deities

The Met's own title for this relief names the subject outright, "Varuna Holding a Noose and Riding a Swan," a narrative identification rather than a bare tag.

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