A LARGE STONE FIGURE OF VISHNU

INDIA, KARNATAKA, HOYSALA PERIOD, 12TH/13TH CENTURY

Details

A LARGE STONE FIGURE OF VISHNU
INDIA, KARNATAKA, HOYSALA PERIOD, 12TH/13TH CENTURY
Vishnu holding a conch and mace in his upper hands, adorned in various beaded jewelry and wearing a tall conical headdress, flanked by attendants, an aureole-shaped back with kirttimukha at top
40 in. (101.6 cm.) high

Provenance

Michael Patrick Antiques, Miami Beach, Florida, by 1976
Estate of James A. Schalk, Cincinnati, OH, acquired from above and sold at Brunk Auctions, North Carolina, 13-14 November 2010, lot 1104

Brought to you by

Leiko Coyle

lcoyle@christies.com 212 636 2404

Lot Essay

The present figure exemplifies the richly detailed and intricate sculpture of the Hoysala period, spanning from the 11th to the mid-14th century. Stylistically, Hoysala sculpture is unlike any other sculpture style in India. Carved in deep relief, similar to openwork, the soft chlorite schist enabled the artist to demonstrate a high level of detail. Heavily laden with jewelry, this ornate sculpture depicts Vishnu standing with both feet uniformly placed on a flat lotus pedestal flanked by two attendants. For a similar example, see the standing Vishnu at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (18.41).

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