This bronze sculpture of Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, stands on a flared circular base with a lotus-petal design. A tall crown supports the god’s halo, while his hair flows from either side of his head. Vishnu holds a wheel in his upper-right hand and a conch shell in his upper left. His lower-left hand rests on an inverted club, and his lower-right hand holds a fruit. His elaborately designed skirt is secured by an ornamented belt featuring a makara (mythical beast) clasp. Pleats around the waist create fanlike designs, with tassels cascading from the center. These rich decorative details reflect Kerala’s artistic traditions, emphasizing form, intricate ornamentation and rhythmic patterns.
Originally, this sculpture may have been displayed in a temple dedicated to Vishnu, or in a domestic shrine. That display context is re-created here, with the sculpture installed in the niche of a temple wall from Kerala decorated with images of his various avatars.
Details
- Title: Vishnu
- Date: c. 1550
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: 15 x 7 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. (38.1 x 19.7 x 15.9 cm)
- Credit Line: The Norton Simon Foundation
- Accession Number: F.1972.45.10.S
- Copyright: © The Norton Simon Foundation
Object Information
- Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 1: Art from the Indian Subcontinent, 2003, no. 226 p. 304
- Campbell, Sara, Collector Without Walls: Norton Simon and His Hunt for the Best, 2010, cat. 865 p. 346
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