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South Asia

Close up photograph of conservator fixing colourful textile on table

Conservation work being undertaken on Punjab region, India or Pakistan, Ceremonial cover or woman’s head-covering [phulkari], mid 20th century, Gift of Claudia Hyles, 2006


The art of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka has always been central to the National Gallery's collection.

Gallery researchers are now looking back through the collection of sculptures, textiles and paintings from South Asia to find out more about the ownership histories and documentation for these fine works of art, and ensure their collection was both legal and ethical. Information will be regularly updated.  

Share your knowledge
We are keen to hear from you about our project, so please share your knowledge. If you have any information please email us at provenance@nga.gov.au.


  • Pala dynasty (8th-early 12th centuries)

    Buddha calling the Earth to witness
    10th century

  • Goddess Gauri
    17th century

  • Fragment from a sculpture
    10th-11th century

  • Winged figure
    3rd century

  • Post-Gupta period (6th-8th centuries)

    Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
    c. 700

  • Self-born linga [svayambhu linga]
    19th century or earlier

  • Garuda and nagini
    3rd century

  • Atlas
    3rd century

  • Fragment of a frieze with putti and garlands
    3rd century

  • Malla period (1200-1769)

    Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
    13th century

  • Fragment of a frieze with winged dragons and rider
    3rd century

  • Stupa gable
    2nd century BCE - 3rd century CE

  • Bishan Das, Mughal dynasty, Akbar period (1556-1609)

    Prince Babur arriving at Andijan; page from a Baburnama manuscript
    c. 1590

  • Pala dynasty (8th-early 12th centuries)

    Vishnu with attendants
    early 12th century

  • Eastern Ganga dynasty (11th-15th centuries)

    Prajnaparamita, goddess of wisdom
    12th century

  • Vijayanagar dynasty (1336-1565)

    Sita
    15th century

  • Pahari Painting, Garhwal or Kangra Style

    The wedding of Krishna and Rukmini
    c. 1820

  • A woman reading a letter
    18th century

  • Jaipur Style

    The God Vishnu seated with his consort upon a throne
    early 19th century

  • Jaipur Style

    Todi ragini
    late 18th century

  • Workshop of Sayyid Hussain Shah (1850-1880)

    The Godfrey shawl
    c. 1870

  • A nobleman seated on a terrace
    early 19th century

  • Standing Buddha
    10th century

  • Vijayanagar dynasty (1336-1565)

    Ganesha
    15th century

  • Mughal dynasty (1526-1858)

    Emperor Muhammad Shah hunting
    c. 1720-25

  • Mewar Kingdom

    Maharana Jawan Singh hunting
    c. 1830

  • Lotus ceiling
    11th-12th century

  • Column for a Jain temple
    10th-11th century

  • Mughal dynasty, Shah Jahan period (1628-1658)

    Pierced screen [jali]
    1630-50

  • Krishna playing the flute in Brindavan [Krishna Venugopala]
    12th century

  • Deccan Sultanates period (1490-1686)

    Architectural brackets and lintels
    1450-1600

  • Standing bodhisattva
    3rd century

  • Chola dynasty (9th-13th centuries)

    Trident with Auspicious Kali [Bhadrakali]
    11th century

  • Mughal dynasty, Aurangzeb period (1658-1707)

    Arcade
    17th century

  • Mughal dynasty, Jahangir period (1605-27)

    Relief panel
    early 17th century

  • Panel
    16th century

  • Mythical beast [vyala]
    11th century

  • Chola dynasty (9th-13th centuries)

    The six-headed Skanda [Karttikeya]
    12th century

  • Ganesha
    10th-11th century

  • Chola dynasty (9th-13th centuries)

    The sacred bull Nandi, vehicle of Shiva
    11th-12th century

  • Varaha rescuing the goddess Bhu; temple panel
    19th century

  • Map of Jain sacred sites; pilgrimage painting [tirtha pata]
    early 19th century

  • Mariyamman, goddess of disease and rain; temple panel
    19th century

  • Christ child
    late 17th century

  • Sinhalese community

    Reliquary [dagoba]
    19th century

  • Stupa drum panel
    2nd-3rd century

  • Bhawani Das, Company Painting, Calcutta Style

    A Gangetic whiting
    c. 1780

  • Hoysala dynasty (11th-mid 14th century)

    Sarasvati, Goddess of Arts and Learning
    early-mid 12th century

  • Celestial maiden [surasundari]
    12th century

  • Polonnaruva period (11th-13th century)

    Standing Buddha
    12th century

  • Marriage pavilion [mandapa]
    mid 20th century

  • Sambhava, the third Jina
    12th century

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