In the Realm of Gods and Kings: Arts of India [Hardcover]

Andrew Topsfield (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0856675938 | ISBN-13: 978-0856675935

Celebrating the wealth and diversity of the arts of India created for the life of courts and temples from 1000 BC to the twentieth century, this book includes short background essays describing aspects of Indian life related to the works. Each work is appraised by an expert in the field and information includes narrative episodes from the epics, iconographic symbolism, and religious, social and other contextual information. An extensive and authoritative introduction rationalizes the thematic arrangement of the book. Many of the paintings and objects shown are privately owned and others have been donated to the Metropolitan Museum by the collector. Each work is fully illustrated and most of these have not been previously published.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrew Topsfield is head of the Indian Department at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 380 pages
• Publisher: Philip Wilson Publishers (November 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0856675938
• ISBN-13: 978-0856675935
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #638,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A catalogue of paintings, photographs, and works of art, February 8, 2005

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Realm of Gods and Kings: Arts of India (Hardcover)

In The Realm Of Gods And Kings: Arts Of India is a catalogue of East Indian paintings, photographs, and works of art ranging from ivory combs to silver cream jugs. Spanning 1000 B.C. to the twentieth century, these treasures are beautifully presented in full-color photographs; many are from the Metropolitan Museum of New York and most have never been previously published. Accompanying each item is a sidebar describing composition materials, physical dimensions, and the like, as well as a brief description of how it was made and used, as well as insight on the earthly or spiritual meanings in its design. In The Realm Of Gods And Kings particularly focuses upon artworks connected to East Indian religion, with subsections devoted to artworks that portray Shiva, Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, and Goddesses, and also artworks connected to court life, including the hunt, courtly manuscripts, and royal portraits. In The Realm Of Gods And Kings is the next best thing to seeing timeless Indian treasures in person, and especially recommended for art shelves.