Page 84 - 2020 September 23 Himalyan and Southeast Asian Works of Art Bonhams

642 W
A BLACKSTONE STELE OF VISHNU This Sena-period stele of Vishnu and his entourage is distinguished by
its central figure’s pleasing, rounded face and the carved definition of his
NORTHEASTERN INDA, PALA-SENA PERIOD, CIRCA 11TH
CENTURY regalia. In his upraised hands, Vishnu grasps a mace and chakra within
27 1/2 in. (70 cm) high his sinuous fingers. His lower hands hold a conch and offer the gesture
of wish-granting (varadamudra). To either side of his legs, his consorts
$6,000 - 8,000 Lakshmi and Sarasvati join Vishnu. Garuda is positioned before the lotus
pedestal on which Vishnu stands. At the top of stele, celestial garland
bearers flank the protective mask of a kirtimukha. The stele compares
印度東北部 帕拉-色那王朝 約十一世紀 黑石毗濕奴石碑 favorably to another of the same scale and subject sold at Sotheby’s, 17
March 2015, lot 1052.

Provenance
Rudra Oriental Arts, Bloomington, Indiana, 1976
Private Collection, Bloomington, Indiana

82 | BONHAMS