Figure

Physical description

A four-armed standing figure of the God Vishnu in the upright or Bhogasthanakamurti pose. The upper right hand holds the wheel (cakra) poised between the first two and the third fingers, the latter now broken and missing; the upper left hand holds the conch (sankha) poised between the first and second finger; the lower right hand is in abhaya mudra; the lower left, resting on the mace (gada). A srivatsa symbol, now much abraded, is visible above the right breast. The figure wears a cylindrical coronet (kirita makuta), and behind the head there is a petalled (siras cakra) or disc for hanging garlands. The striped lower garment is worn with girdle and sash, the former with long beaded tassels extending between the legs, and the latter with projecting bows at the hips, Other details include a multi-stranded Brahmanical sacred cord (yajnopavita) tied in a bow above the left breast, waistband keyura armlets, bangles, (makara-kundala) ear pendants, and padasaras on the feet. The figure stands on a circular lotus pedestal cast in one piece with a square base, the latter having projecting tenons for the support of an arched-surround or torana (now missing), and rings for processional carrying. The presence of encrusted carbonate matter in surface crevices confirms a period of earth-burial.

Place of Origin

Coimbatore, India (made)

Date

10th century-11th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Bronze, cast by the cire perdue process

Dimensions

Weight: 16.8 kg, Height: 66 cm

Object history note

Bequested by Lord Curzon of Kedleston in 1927.
It formed part of the collection made by Lord Curzon during the course of his travels in the East in the latter part of the 19th Century and during is residency in India as Viceroy and Governor-General from 1898-1905.

Descriptive line

Figure of Vishnu, bronze, Coimbatore, ca.11th century.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Bethnal Green Museum. Eastern arts objects; catalogue of a collection lent by Lord Curzon of Kedleston. H.S.M.O., London, 1910, p.19, case 14, no..4 ( ). R.Nagaswamy, "Kongu Bronzes in the V & A Museum" Lalit Kala, no.13, (1967). Guy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', London V & A Publication, p.54. pl.54. & p.103, pl.117. ISBN 971851775095 Guy, John (ed.). ‘L’Escultura en els Temples Indis: L’Art de la Devocio’, Barcelona : Fundacio ‘La Caixa’, 2007. ISBN 9788476649466. p.74, cat. 37

Exhibition History

: L’escultura en els temples indis: l’art de la devocio (CaixaForum, Barcelona 27/07/2007-18/11/2007)

Labels and date

VISNU
Bronze
Reportedly excavated at Coimbatore, Tamilnadu
Cola period
10th-11th century
IM.127-1927
Bequeathed by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India 1898-1905 [ca. 1988-2009]

Production Note

South India

Materials

Bronze

Techniques

Cire-perdue

Subjects depicted

Hinduism; Vishnu; Sphere

Categories

Sculpture; Religion; Hinduism

Collection code

SSEA