Visnu stele

Description

This superb stele, dating from the Pala era, depicts the god Visnu.

This work features iconography characteristic of the powerful Viṣṇu Vasudeva, supreme Hindu god wearing the royal tiara (kirīta), who is depicted here. We recognize his attributes, finely represented in accordance with classical iconographic codes: in his raised hands, the mace (gadā) and the wheel (cakra), a particularly formidable throwing weapon.

We particularly appreciate the multitude of rich details on this black stone stele, typical of Pala art. Indeed, the god is adorned with heavy jewels, and a large number of finely sculpted figures are present on either side of Visnu: his wives or celestial creatures on the top of the stele. Small figures and floral ornamentation are also elegantly chiselled on the lower part of the stele.

Provenance: Collection of a Japanese diplomat assembled in the early 1970s.