Figure
18th Century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A four-armed figure of Vishnu seated at ease (lalitasana), with left leg pendent. The upper right hand holds the wheel (cakra) clutched in the whole hand, the upper left, the conch (sankha), similarly held; in both cases the symbols are linked to the head with a casting 'tie'.
The lower right hand holds a round object probably symbolic of the lotus bud; the lower left rests palm downwards on the thigh. There is no srivatsa symbol above the right breast. The figure wears eight-banded coronet of the karanda-mukuta type. The lower garment is almost entirely hidden by an elaborate arrangement of sash or girdle ends ( at least ten in all), each embossed with a flower. Another larger flowerhead occupies the place of the girdle clasp. Other details include large ear pendants, single armlets on each side at the point of bifurcation, and rings on every finger and toe. The figure is cast in one piece with a lotus pedestal and square base, the latter with a spout or outlet (pranala) for running off the holy water, and tenons for the support of a detachable arched surround or torana. The arch is formed by two spewing makaras and has an outer circle of flames, in close proximity with the god's headdress.
The lower right hand holds a round object probably symbolic of the lotus bud; the lower left rests palm downwards on the thigh. There is no srivatsa symbol above the right breast. The figure wears eight-banded coronet of the karanda-mukuta type. The lower garment is almost entirely hidden by an elaborate arrangement of sash or girdle ends ( at least ten in all), each embossed with a flower. Another larger flowerhead occupies the place of the girdle clasp. Other details include large ear pendants, single armlets on each side at the point of bifurcation, and rings on every finger and toe. The figure is cast in one piece with a lotus pedestal and square base, the latter with a spout or outlet (pranala) for running off the holy water, and tenons for the support of a detachable arched surround or torana. The arch is formed by two spewing makaras and has an outer circle of flames, in close proximity with the god's headdress.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Reddish bronze , cast by the cire-perdue process. |
| Brief description | Four armed seated figure of Vishnu, bronze, Coimbatore, 18th century. |
| Physical description | A four-armed figure of Vishnu seated at ease (lalitasana), with left leg pendent. The upper right hand holds the wheel (cakra) clutched in the whole hand, the upper left, the conch (sankha), similarly held; in both cases the symbols are linked to the head with a casting 'tie'. The lower right hand holds a round object probably symbolic of the lotus bud; the lower left rests palm downwards on the thigh. There is no srivatsa symbol above the right breast. The figure wears eight-banded coronet of the karanda-mukuta type. The lower garment is almost entirely hidden by an elaborate arrangement of sash or girdle ends ( at least ten in all), each embossed with a flower. Another larger flowerhead occupies the place of the girdle clasp. Other details include large ear pendants, single armlets on each side at the point of bifurcation, and rings on every finger and toe. The figure is cast in one piece with a lotus pedestal and square base, the latter with a spout or outlet (pranala) for running off the holy water, and tenons for the support of a detachable arched surround or torana. The arch is formed by two spewing makaras and has an outer circle of flames, in close proximity with the god's headdress. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Purchased from Mr. Lionel M. Wynch, C.I.E., C.B.E., Madras Civil Service, 1885-1914 for a sum of £5. |
| Production | South India, probably to the south of Nilghiri Hills, Madras Presidency |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.14A-1934 |
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| Record created | October 25, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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