Carved Black Basalt Stele of Vishnu Pala Period, 11th or 12th Century

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Carved Black Basalt Stele of Vishnu Pala Period, 11th or 12th Century

About the Item

A carved figure of Vishnu standing in samapadasana, holding a lotus, mace chakra and conch, dressed in a short striated dhoti and embellished with various necklaces and bracelets. The serene countenance has a bow-shaped mouth and elongated eyes, surmounted by a tall conical headdress. Vishnu is flanked by Bhudevi holding a lotus and Shridevi playing the vina and surrounded by celestial garland bearers, a pair of yalis and roundels depicting the ten avatars of Vishnu, surmounted by a kirttimukha. Each figure stands on a double lotus base, the whole supported by an integrated base fronted by Garuda. Presented on a modern black-painted wooden stand. The Pala were an imperial dynasty from Bengal, East India, who ruled between the 8th and 12th centuries - at the height of their power, they ruled an Empire that stretched across the Indian subcontinent. The Pala rulers were Buddhists and their reign saw the development of a distinctive style of Buddhist sculpture and architecture, which had impact across Asia, influencing the art of Burma, Nepal, Tibet, Indonesia, and Java. During the 11th and 12th centuries Hinduism gained dominance in the region, and the distinctive Pala style of sculpture was applied to Hindu subjects, a development that can be seen with the present work. Vishnu is one of the most important gods in the Hindu cannon and is worshipped by all Hindu sects either directly or as one of his ten avatars, shown in this work in the roundels that frame the stele. Much of his importance relates to his role in the Hindu trinity as the maintainer or preserver of life, counterpoised by Brahma the creator and Shiva the destroyer. As the preserver, Vishnu is a benevolent and compassionate god, an IDEA present here in his serene and gentle expression. Vishnu is often accompanied by Shridevi and Bhudevi, his two consorts, who are both considered incarnations of the goddess Lakshmi. His mount is the Garuda, the mythical, bird-like creature depicted at his feet in the present work. Measures: Height 30 .5" (77.5cms) excluding stand.

Dimensions:
Height: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
Place of Origin:
India
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
11th or 12th Century
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 149441stDibs: LU97544278923