Plaque with Vishnu with Attendant
c. 700
Asia: Thailand, Phetchabun, Sri Thep
On View

Repoussé refers to decoration hammered into relief from the back of a metal plate. In this gold repoussé plaque, the Hindu god Vishnu represents the world axis. He stands on a square base, symbolic of the earth, and he is framed by a circular halo, which signifies the heavens. His upright form represents a stalk from which a lotus flower blossoms, seen at the top of Vishnu’s miter. Vishnu’s four arms, holding his attributes—the chakra (wheel), conch shell, orb and club—signal the four cardinal directions.

Details

  • Title: Plaque with Vishnu with Attendant
  • Date: c. 700
  • Medium: Gold repoussé
  • Dimensions: 11-7/8 x 6-3/8 in. (30.2 x 16.2 cm)
  • Credit Line: The Norton Simon Foundation
  • Accession Number: F.1972.19.2.S
  • Copyright: © The Norton Simon Foundation

Object Information

  • Lerner, Martin, The Connoisseur, fig. 8 p. 200
  • Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art: Selections from the Norton Simon Museum, fig. 3 p. 62
  • Woodward, Hiram, The Art and Architecture of Thailand from Prehistoric Times through the Thirteenth Century, 2002, fig. 20
  • Bunker, Emma and Douglas Latchford, Adoration and Glory: Ancient Cambodian Sculpture, 2003, fig. 17.1 p. 433
  • Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 3: Art from Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia, 2004, no. 84 pp. 102-103, 109, 112, 114, 116-117
  • McArthur, Meher, The Arts of Asia: A Guide to the Materials, Techniques and Styles, 2005, pp. 7, 176, 190-191
  • Campbell, Sara, Collector Without Walls: Norton Simon and His Hunt for the Best, 2010, cat. 811 p. 341
  • Lost Kingdoms: Hindu Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia, 2014, fig. 104 p. 145
Listen
Audio Tour
English | Español
Read
Audio Tour Transcript
English | Español
Escuchar
Audioguía
English | Español
Leer
Transcripción de Audioguía
English | Español

Image reproduction permission may be granted for scholarly or arts related commercial use. All image requests, regardless of their intended purpose, should be submitted via the reproduction request form.

Images may be protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. Additional permission may be required.

Approved requests for the reproduction of an image will receive a contract detailing all fees and conditions of use of the image. Upon receipt of both the signed contract and full payment, the Office of Rights and Reproductions will provide the image. A complimentary copy of the published material must be provided to the Norton Simon Museum.

Reproduction Request Form