Vishnu
Date: 11th century
Place made:Nepal
General region:Asia
Medium: Gilt bronze
Dimensions:
height: 16 in. (40.6 cm)
width: 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
depth: 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, Gift of the Rubin-Ladd Foundation under the bequest of Ester R. Portnow
Object number: 2010.7.1
Provenance: The Rubin-Ladd Foundation Ester R. Portnow Collection of Asian Art, on loan to San Antonio Museum of Art, 2003; The Rubin-Ladd Foundation Ester R. Portnow Collection of Asian Art, by gift to San Antonio Museum of Art, 2010
Label Text
Vishnu, the Preserver, along with Brahma, the Creator, and Shiva, the Destroyer, form the Trinity of Hinduism. This Vishnu stands with lower left hand holding a conch (battle trumpet), upper left hand holding a now-missing mace, and upper right hand grasping a now-missing war disc—the three militant attributes symbolizing Vishnu’s protective power. His lower right hand is making a gesture of dispensing boons. Unlike the Indian Vishnu figure in this gallery, this Vishnu wears a tall pointed crown, extensive jewelry, and a dhoti tied around his waist—all represent a Nepalese dressing tradition.
On view
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
