A Greystone Stele of Vishnu, Pala period, India, possibly 12th Century
76cm high

A magnificent Indian greystone stele depicting the Hindu god Vishnu in a powerful and prosperous posture. Vishnu stands majestically in Samapada (standing with both feet together), his divine form towering over an elevated lotus plinth. Each of his four hands holds a distinct attribute: a lotus, symbolizing purity; a mace (gada), representing his strength; a discus (chakra), signifying cosmic order; and a conch shell (shankha), denoting his primordial sound. Flanking Vishnu are his two consorts, Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune and prosperity, and Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning.Their presence underscores Vishnu's role as the protector and sustainer of the universe. Vishnu is adorned in a diaphanous dhoti, a testament to his divine elegance. Ornate foliate armlets grace his limbs, and a tapering chamfered crown,surmounted by a lotus bud, completes his regal attire. The stele exhibits weathering, consistent with its age and excavation, adding to its historical significance.

Private U.K. Collection
Acquired from Sothebys, New York, Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian works of Art, Paintings and Sculpture, 2001, Lot 94
Property of a Lady