Cosmic Form of Krishna
15th century
Asia: India, Tamil Nadu
On View

This ten-armed image of Krishna is an unusual depiction of the god. The wheel and the conch shell in his rear set of hands identify him as an incarnation of Vishnu. His two front hands are positioned as if holding a flute, a common portrayal of a young Krishna. However, the additional sets of arms are not often seen in images made during the reign of the Cholas. It is likely that this figure was made during the reign of the Chola rulers’ successors in Tamil Nadu, the Vijayanagara monarchs.

Details

  • Title: Cosmic Form of Krishna
  • Date: 15th century
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 19-3/8 x 10-3/4 x 9-1/4 in. (49.2 x 27.3 x 23.5 cm)
  • Credit Line: The Norton Simon Foundation
  • Accession Number: F.1972.19.7.S
  • Copyright: © The Norton Simon Foundation

Object Information

Tales of the Blue Lord

  • Norton Simon Museum, 2007-11-09 to 2008-05-12

A Tale of Three Muses: Music, Poetry and Art in India and Nepal

  • Norton Simon Museum, 1994-03-17 to 1994-09-04
  • Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 1: Art from the Indian Subcontinent, 2003, no. 199 p. 275
  • Campbell, Sara, Collector Without Walls: Norton Simon and His Hunt for the Best, 2010, cat. 808 p. 340
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