Vishnu Chaturanama
Figure
8th Century (made)
8th Century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Figure of the four-faced god, Vishnu, known as Vaikuntha Chatamurti or Chatamukha as well as Vishnu Chaturanana. Of the four heads, the middle one in front is human with a crown, to the left of there is a boar's head, to the right is a lion's, while at the back there is a demon's face. The two hands of the upper arms hold a lotus and a conch, while the other two hands from the lower arms rest on the heads of the two smaller attendants holding fly whisks on either side. These are personifications of Vishnu's attributes in the forms of Gadanari (club-woman) on the right hand side and Chakrapurusha (wheel-man) on the left). The figures stand on a waisted and moulded base which has a flat back with two square apertures. The figures also lack detailing at the back.
Object details
Object type | |
Titles |
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Materials and techniques | copper alloy, casting |
Brief description | Vishnu Chaturanana figure in copper alloy, sculpture, Kashmir, 8th century |
Physical description | Figure of the four-faced god, Vishnu, known as Vaikuntha Chatamurti or Chatamukha as well as Vishnu Chaturanana. Of the four heads, the middle one in front is human with a crown, to the left of there is a boar's head, to the right is a lion's, while at the back there is a demon's face. The two hands of the upper arms hold a lotus and a conch, while the other two hands from the lower arms rest on the heads of the two smaller attendants holding fly whisks on either side. These are personifications of Vishnu's attributes in the forms of Gadanari (club-woman) on the right hand side and Chakrapurusha (wheel-man) on the left). The figures stand on a waisted and moulded base which has a flat back with two square apertures. The figures also lack detailing at the back. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Given by Mr K. de B. Codrington |
Historical context | The surface shows considerable wear from long use in worship. |
Subject depicted | |
Collection | |
Accession number | IM.9-1937 |
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Record created | September 5, 2002 |
Record URL |
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