Rubbing of the Churning of the Sea of Milk

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Black and white image of a relief depicting the Churning of the Sea of Milk. Large curved conch shell and a large curved weapon, possibly a club or a mace, are positioned horizontally across the top. The conch shell to the left, the club to the right. The conch shell decorated with a face on its side and a protruding tongue-like element on its tip; the club decorated with hanging rope-like designs along its length. Snake-like figures, or tails, extend from both objects. The central section depicts intertwined serpentine bodies and figures; a human-like figure with an elaborate hairstyle faces left; the figure's right arm bent at the elbow and their hand held up near their face. The lower portion shows row upon row of figures densely packed; each wears a cone-shaped hat and hold a long spear diagonally across their body. The rows are angled up to the right. The entire image appears to be a rubbing or impression taken from a bas-relief sculpture. The artist of this image is unknown and the title is "Rubbing of the Churning of the Sea of Milk".