- Title
- The Hindu God Vishnu
- Date Made
- 13th century
- Medium
- Copper alloy
- Dimensions
- 40 1/4 x 18 x 7 3/4 in. (102.23 x 45.72 x 19.68 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.70.5.1
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
These separate copper alloy (bronze) representations of the Hindu god Vishnu flanked by his wives Shridevi (or Lakshmi) and the earth goddess Bhudevi form a Vaishnava matrimonial triad (M.70.5.1-.3). Originally made as processional images, each deity stands on a double lotus base cut with holes for attaching them to the support poles.
Vishnu wears a tall crown (kirita mukuta), a striped lower garment adorned with a “Face of Glory” (kirttimukha) medallion, and is heavily ornamented. He stands in a stiff, frontal pose (samapada sthanaka). He has four arms. In his upper right hand, he holds his discus (chakra). His lower right hand is held in the gesture of reassurance (abhaya mudra). In his upper left hand, he carries his flaming conch (shankha). His lower left hand hangs by his side and once rested on the handle of his now-missing mace (gada).
