KHMER, BAPHUON STYLE, 11TH CENTURY

Details

A Rare Stone Figure Vishnu resting on the Serpent Shesha
Khmer, Baphuon Style, 11th Century
The god resting on the naga Shesha, waiting for the appropriate moment for the re-creation of the universe, when Brahma emerges from his navel on a lotus, with Lakshmi seated beside him gently caressing his legs
41½ in. (105.4 cm) long

Provenance

Acquired at Christie's New York, 20 September 2000, lot 164

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Lot Essay

This sculpture depicts Vishnu sleeping in an ocean of darkness on the naga, Shesha, just before the bright sound of "Om" wakens him, so that he may bear Brahma on a lotus from his navel to create the world. See Lot 164 for an Indian depiction of the next moment. For a complete rendition of the scene in the Koh Ker style from the Samuel Eilenberg Collection, see M. Lerner and S. Kossak, The Lotus Transcendent, 1991, cat. no. 127.

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