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Lot Essay
This rare silver figure represents the Hindu god of Preservation. Silver figurines are quite rare in the Javanese metal tradition. For unknown reasons even more gold examples than silver have come down to us. These silver and gold figures were made by other guilds of craftsmen than their bronze counterparts which can be gleaned from its slightly less high refinement. Most probably the silver and gold figures were made by those who made as well jewellery and were less used to create these sacred figurines. It will be clear that gold jewellery from this period in Java ranks amongst the highest technical and aesthetic products of mankind.
The presented Wishnu is still influenced by Indian sculptural tradition. The sashes and girdles around his middle still reflect a South Indian fashion while the Garuda bird placed against the base is a remnant of a northeast Indian tradition. Also the fact that the sculpture is moulded separately from the backslab suggests a northeast Indian component as the specific composition of its heraldic lions standing on elephants and the makara's on the crossbeam. The curling of the makara trunk however is definite a Central Javanese component. The Wishnu silver figure can be placed in the later part of the ninth or very early part of the tenth century.
A silver figure depicting Shiwa is illustrated in Treasures of Ancient Indonesian Kingdoms by the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo 1997, pl. 64.
The presented Wishnu is still influenced by Indian sculptural tradition. The sashes and girdles around his middle still reflect a South Indian fashion while the Garuda bird placed against the base is a remnant of a northeast Indian tradition. Also the fact that the sculpture is moulded separately from the backslab suggests a northeast Indian component as the specific composition of its heraldic lions standing on elephants and the makara's on the crossbeam. The curling of the makara trunk however is definite a Central Javanese component. The Wishnu silver figure can be placed in the later part of the ninth or very early part of the tenth century.
A silver figure depicting Shiwa is illustrated in Treasures of Ancient Indonesian Kingdoms by the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo 1997, pl. 64.