Swayamvara Parvathi
Detail Photos
Parvathi is seated centrally on an ornate wooden pedestal, one leg extended down and resting on a low stool where a pale skinned attendant kneels, fastening an anklet around her foot. She holds a round mirror in one hand and gazes at her own reflection with a serene, pleased expression. She wears a tall crown, multiple layered necklaces, long rose shaped earrings, armlets, and bangles. She is closely flanked by attendants on both sides, one leaning in with a hand near her shoulder, another beside her smiling. To her left, an attendant pours water or oil from a small vessel into a cup held by a bare chested woman. To her right, more attendants stand in a tight cluster, one holding beads close to her ear. In the foreground, a seated attendant holds a long strand of pearls strung with rose shaped ornaments at each end. Rows of further attendants fill the background, several green skinned like Parvathi herself, others pale skinned, all elaborately bejewelled with tall hair buns. At the base of the panel, shallow bowls of rice and floral offerings are arranged along the floor. The backdrop is a canopied interior with a scalloped valance hung with bud shaped ornaments, blue drapery tied at the pillars, and two large circular medallions on the wall behind her.
