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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
South Asian Sculpture, Room 47b

Figure

10th century-11th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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 tendons 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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bronze, cast by the <i>cire perdue</i> process
Brief description
Figure of Vishnu, bronze, Coimbatore, ca.11th century.
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 tendons 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.
Dimensions
  • Weight: 16.8kg
  • Height: 66cm
Width across raised arms 9 1/12ins., base 9 1/2ins., by 9 ins.
Style
Gallery label
  • 5. Vishnu 1000–1100 Chola period Vishnu is one of the most popular Hindu gods. He is often characterised as the preserver, protecting the universe from powerful demons. Three of his hands hold emblems of his power and authority: a flaming discus, a conch shell and a club. The fourth hand is raised in the abhaya mudra gesture of reassurance and protection. Copper alloy Southern India (Tamil Nadu) Reportedly excavated at Coimbatore Bequeathed by Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Viceroy of India 1898–1905 Museum no. IM.127-1927(06/06/2011)
  • 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)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Lord Curzon of Kedleston
Object history
Bequeathed 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.
Production
South India
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic references
  • 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.
  • In the image of man : the Indian perception of the universe through 2000 years of painting and sculpture : [exhibition / organized by Catherine Lampert assisted by Rosalie Cass]. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson :in association with the Arts Council of Great Britain, 1982 Number: 0297780719, 0297781243 (pbk.) p. 198, cat. no. 356
  • Haworth-Booth, Mark; Indian Sculpture: A Travelling Exhibition, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 1971 No. 1
  • L'escultura en el temples indis : l'art de la devoció : exposició organitzada per la Fundació "La Caixa" i el Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres. [Barcelona: Obra social, Fundació "la Caixa", c2007 Number: 9788476649466 p.74, Cat.37
  • 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
  • Dehejia, Vidya. The Sensuous and the Sacred: Chola Bronzes from South India. American Federation of Arts, New York, 2002. Cat.40, pp. 174-8.
Collection
Accession number
IM.127-1927

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Record createdAugust 23, 2001
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