Important Notice

WEST BENGAL, 10TH/11TH CENTURY
Phyllite
21.75 in (55.2 cm) high

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Property of a Gentleman

This intricately carved stele shows a depiction of Vishnu, or Vasudeva, who was popular in ancient Bengal. Pratapaditya Pal observes that this particular iconography follows descriptions given in the Matsyapurana, either from the 5th century or an earlier religious text. He writes that in the relevant passages, "Vasudeva should hold the club and the lotus on the right and the wheel and the conch on the left. The two spouses, Sri and Pushti, should accompany him, and the surrounding archway should be adorned with celestials: vidyadhara (holders of knowledge) and gandharva (musicians), various floral designs (patravalli), and animal motifs." (Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 1: Art from the Indian Subcontinent, Pasadena: Norton Simon Museum of Art, 2003, p. 197) True to this description, Vishnu holds his attributes. The lotus attribute is shown as a small flower attached to the open palm of his lower right hand.

Vishnu is accompanied by Sri, seen with a lotus standing to his right, and Pushti with the veena, stands to his left. Sri and Pushti are Lakshmi and Saraswati respectively, and their attributes identify them as the two goddesses. Two smaller figures stand next to the goddesses: Padmapurusha to Vishnu's right, and Chakrapurusha to his left. On either side, two mythical lions are seen trampling elephants. Above Vishnu, two vidyadhara bring garlands as off erings, and a kirtimukha crowns the summit. Vishnu stands on a lotus pedestal, below which three adorants kneel in worship of the god and his consorts.

WEST BENGAL, 10TH/11TH CENTURY
Phyllite
21.75 in (55.2 cm) high

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Property of a Gentleman

This intricately carved stele shows a depiction of Vishnu, or Vasudeva, who was popular in ancient Bengal. Pratapaditya Pal observes that this particular iconography follows descriptions given in the Matsyapurana, either from the 5th century or an earlier religious text. He writes that in the relevant passages, "Vasudeva should hold the club and the lotus on the right and the wheel and the conch on the left. The two spouses, Sri and Pushti, should accompany him, and the surrounding archway should be adorned with celestials: vidyadhara (holders of knowledge) and gandharva (musicians), various floral designs (patravalli), and animal motifs." (Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 1: Art from the Indian Subcontinent, Pasadena: Norton Simon Museum of Art, 2003, p. 197) True to this description, Vishnu holds his attributes. The lotus attribute is shown as a small flower attached to the open palm of his lower right hand.

Vishnu is accompanied by Sri, seen with a lotus standing to his right, and Pushti with the veena, stands to his left. Sri and Pushti are Lakshmi and Saraswati respectively, and their attributes identify them as the two goddesses. Two smaller figures stand next to the goddesses: Padmapurusha to Vishnu's right, and Chakrapurusha to his left. On either side, two mythical lions are seen trampling elephants. Above Vishnu, two vidyadhara bring garlands as off erings, and a kirtimukha crowns the summit. Vishnu stands on a lotus pedestal, below which three adorants kneel in worship of the god and his consorts.