Carved in low relief, this ivory plaque was made as an appliqué decoration for fine furniture, most likely for a bed of noble or wealthy lovers. There are nine iconic or narrative vignettes, which are separated by pearl edging and framed by a border enlivened with a scrolling vine. From the viewer’s left to right, the scenes portrayed are Krishna fluting and dancing with worshipping gopis (cowherdesses), Krishna lifting up Mt. Govardhan to protect the villagers from Indra’s storm, Krishna dancing triumphantly over the serpent demon Kaliya, Krishna in a tree after stealing the gopis’ clothes so they will metaphorically reveal their souls to him, Krishna embracing his paramour Radha, a toiletry scene with an attendant holding up a mirror, an amorous scene with a servant fanning a couple, an amorous scene with a garland bearer, and an amorous scene with a musician.
Krishna, the Hindu god of devotion, is regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu, the Hindu preserver of the universe. Krishna is worshipped in his various life stages as a child-god, divine lover, or regal monarch. While certain legends and images celebrate Krishna’s valor and victory in the frequent conflicts between divine and demonic powers, others emphasize his role as an adorable, mischievous child or as an amorous youth dallying with the village herdswomen. His relationship with Radha engendered the bhakti or devotional movement, in which a devotee’s adoration symbolizes the soul’s union with a transcendent god.