Vishnu Chaturanama thumbnail 1
Vishnu Chaturanama thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Vishnu Chaturanama

Figure
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
  • Vishnu Chaturanama (generic title)
  • Vaikuntha Chatamurti (generic title)
  • Viakuntha Chatamukha (generic title)
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
  • Height: 10.1cm
  • Width: 2.25in
  • Weight: 174g
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 createdSeptember 5, 2002
Record URL
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