Vishnu is shown here in his form as supreme lord, his high crown indicative of his royal aspect; his four arms reveal his superhuman nature. His upper right hand holds a discus, seen from the side. In his upper left hand he holds the conch shell.

<i>Year in Review (1963)</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 27, 1963-January 5, 1964).

Year in Review (1963)

A gray-brown, coarse-textured granite sculpture depicts the god Vishnu standing against a solid backplate on a circular, tiered base. He wears a tall, conical crown and cloth draped around his waist. Bare-chested and adorned with jewelry, his four arms hold a disk and conch in the upper hands; the lower right hand is raised with palm forward while the left rests on his hip. The serene face has eyes carved in outline.

(William H. Wolff [1906-1991], New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

The conch shell, or shankha, is one of Vishnu's weapons and he is often shown holding one. Conch shells are used as trumpets in Hindu rituals, and were used as battle trumpets in the past.

Conch Shell

Vishnu is shown here covered in ornaments including earrings, necklaces, armlets, bracelets, and anklets. He also wears a girdle decorated with a lion mask that you can see just below his navel.

Lion Mask

This sculpture of Vishnu as well as those of Bhu Devi and Shri Lakshmi that flank him are not carved completely in the round. The backs of the sculptures are unfinished, as they were meant to be placed against a wall, likely in a shrine.

Vishnu

South India, Tamil Nadu, probably Pudokkatai, early Chola Dynasty, 10th Century

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Vishnu

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Vishnu

South India, Tamil Nadu, probably Pudokkatai, early Chola Dynasty, 10th Century

Description

Vishnu

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us