Ceremonial Vessel

This pigment painted terracotta pot covered with multiple lotuses issuing from it and having the fertility images of fish and parrots painted on its body stems from the ancient Indian concept of purna-kalasha(full vase) representing proliferation and fertility. At the mouth of the pot is the image of Raja Salhesh, a divine, mythical figure of the Dusadh/Paswan community of Bihar, shown here as surrounded by his female companions. Tradition of venerating a deity in the form of a ghata (earthern pot)is also commonly found in West Bengal where the goddesses such as Manasa, Lakshmi, Shitala, etc. are worshipped in the form of an earthen pot.