Matsya, fish incarnation of Vishnu
Figure
mid 19th century (made)
mid 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Cast copper alloy image of Matsya, the first incarnation (avatara) of Vishnu, with the lower part of the body in the form of a fish, the tail curving to the left. The upper part represents the four-armed deity holding his usual attributes of discus (chakra) and conch-shell (shanka). His lower hands in front are held in the abhaya and varada mudras. He stands on a lotus pedestal on a tiered base decorated with beading, latticework and circles patterning.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Matsya, fish incarnation of Vishnu (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | copper alloy casting |
| Brief description | Copper alloy figure; Matsya, fish incarnation of Vishnu, Madras, South India, mid 19th century. |
| Physical description | Cast copper alloy image of Matsya, the first incarnation (avatara) of Vishnu, with the lower part of the body in the form of a fish, the tail curving to the left. The upper part represents the four-armed deity holding his usual attributes of discus (chakra) and conch-shell (shanka). His lower hands in front are held in the abhaya and varada mudras. He stands on a lotus pedestal on a tiered base decorated with beading, latticework and circles patterning. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Transferred from the India Museum in London to the South Kensington Museum (now the V&A) in 1879. The India Museum Slips, No. 296 describe the figure as being received in 1855, presumably from the Paris Universal Exhibiton of that date. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Bibliographic reference | Mitchell, A.G. 'Hindu Gods and Goddesses.' London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982. Plate 11. ISBN 011290372X |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 553(IS) |
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| Record created | January 2, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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