- Title
- Bedpost with Krishna and Radha
- Date Made
- circa 1800
- Medium
- Ivory
- Dimensions
- 8 5/16 x 2 5/8 in. (21.11 x 6.67 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.85.298.3
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
Presumably one of a set of four, this ornamental bedpost has a cylindrical base with figural scenes, a bulbous neck with circular moldings and pendent foliage, and a spherical finial with large palmettes with curled volutes carved on the sides and crowned with a carnation blossom. On the side of the base visible in the photograph, Krishna and Radha are embracing in a contortionist pose. Krishna stands on his right tiptoes with his left leg held horizontally and bent at the knee to encompass Radha, who stands pressed against him. Krishna's left arm encircles Radha’s shoulder, and his hand holds his rapturous flute. The divine couple wear conical crowns, conventional jewelry, and billowing scarves.
Traditional Indian beds, called charpoys, are constructed with a wooden bedframe supported by four short conical legs often terminating in decorative bedposts. The bed’s supporting surface is a woven mesh of silk or cotton braided cords or rope. Ivory plaques with amorous subjects, such as M.72.107, were often mounted on the headboard or exterior bedframe.
