A remarkable collection of 200-year-old Hindu paintings has been placed under an official export prohibition, preventing the valuable artworks from leaving the United Kingdom. The Devi Mahatmya series, which consists of 56 vibrant paintings depicting the narrative of Hinduism's Divine Mother, carries an estimated value of £280,000 (approximately $350,000) according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The export ban was implemented to provide British galleries and cultural institutions with adequate time to acquire these significant works for the nation. Officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport emphasized that this nearly complete series represents one of Hinduism's most important religious narratives, featuring intricate artwork created with gold and silver paint that portrays scenes ranging from peaceful worship ceremonies to dramatic battle sequences.
Among the most notable pieces in the collection is a unique painting depicting the defeated Hindu gods Vishnu and Shiva making an appeal for divine assistance. Art experts believe this particular scene exists nowhere else in any comparable collection, making it exceptionally rare and culturally significant. The paintings utilize traditional techniques and materials that showcase the sophisticated artistic practices of 19th century religious art.
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport highlighted that no other comparable series exists in the United Kingdom, emphasizing the paintings' importance as a reminder of the cultural connections between Britain and the Punjab region. With more than one million Hindus currently living in the UK, these artworks present a valuable opportunity for both academic research and cultural celebration within Britain's diverse communities.
Culture Minister Baroness Twycross expressed strong support for keeping the collection in Britain, stating: "This series is not only beautiful, but unique in the UK. With no other near-complete similar narratives existing in our country, it's vitally important we take the chance now to keep this series in the UK and allow researchers crucial time to unlock its secrets."
The decision to impose the export restriction follows recommendations from the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA), which serves as an advisory body for such matters. Committee member Pippa Shirley provided detailed commentary on the artistic and cultural significance of the paintings, describing them as "small, jewel-like paintings" in which "an epic unfolds before our eyes."
Shirley elaborated on the religious and artistic importance of the collection, explaining: "We see the Devi, the divine mother of Hinduism in her various manifestations, as the terrifying, multi-armed Kali slaying demons in ferocious battles contrasted with scenes of courtly life, worship and serene landscapes populated by a menagerie of animals. They were prompts for storytelling, recitations of Sanskrit hymns, at weddings or family gatherings and are remarkable for their completeness."
The committee member also noted the broader academic implications of the collection, stating that the paintings "throw light on artistic workshop practices and raise questions about social and devotional use and collecting this kind of material in the colonial period." She emphasized that the works represent "a powerful statement of divine female power" and stressed the importance of keeping them in the country where they can be "more fully understood and enjoyed by the widest possible audience."
The export ban provides British institutions with a temporary window of opportunity to raise funds and make arrangements to acquire the collection. During this period, the paintings cannot legally leave the United Kingdom, giving cultural organizations time to organize potential purchases or seek funding from various sources including government grants, private donations, and cultural foundations.
