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
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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. |
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Gallery label |
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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 | |
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Collection | |
Accession number | IM.127-1927 |
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Record created | August 23, 2001 |
Record URL |
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