Page 23 - Stone and Bronze, Indian art of the Chola Dynasty, Metropolitan Museum, NYC

FIGURE 24
Vishnu, c. 950. Height 35 in. Kalayana Vara-
daraja temple, Paruttiyur. (Photo: Courtesy of
Mr. Douglas Barrett)

little loops at the top; we notice the latter on the Parvati
at Konerirajapuram (Figure 53).
When we seek to compare the New York Vishnu
with other outstanding Early Chola icons in bronze,
the first that come to mind are the Vishnu images at
Kodumudi and Paruttiyur. The Kodumudi Vishnu
(Figures 22, 23) has been called "certainly the finest
bronze representation of the deity in Indian art."41
The conch is inclined, the disk, edge on, held vertically;
we note a fourth flame at the base. The lower left hand
is in the same position as on the New York bronze. The
crown is more elongated, but the earrings are the same.
of
The five-pronged armlets with looped strings pearls
are similar, but there is no elbow band; the shoulder
ornament (on the figure's right) hardly in evidence.
is
The triangular mark on the right chest, originally
thought of as a lock of hair, is called Sri-vatsa, i.e., Be-
loved of Sri (Fortune), and symbolizes the Srinivasa
concept mentioned above. The triple sacred cord and
its two separate strands are of pearls; the vertical strand
does not fall around the ankle, which is adorned by a
jeweled bangle instead. There is no lion mask on the
girdle clasp. The sash knotted around the hips falls in
a wide, twisted loop in front of the thighs; its lateral
bows are more prominent and lifelike, the falling ends
less formalized. The folds of the dhoti-pulled up in
the middle-are very naturalistically rendered. The
jeweled festoons hanging from the girdle are longer and where between the and Brahma
Punjai
have long tassels; they adorn the back as well. Two reliefs Pullamangai us to the same date,
which
brings
(Figures 3, 4),
chain strips carrying pipal pendants and tassels hang in i.e., the first half of the tenth
century.42
front of the thighs, to the knees; between the legs an Another image ofgreat beauty, the Paruttiyur Vishnu
elongated pendant falls over two tasseled bands. is close in style to the New York image.
(Figure 24),43
In back, we note the very large, shell-like splay of the The of the crown is similar; so are the
shape
earrings
dhoti and the delicate bows tying the armlets. An ani- with makaras forth as well as
mal protoma spewing jewels decorates the hub of the pouring strings ofjewels,
lotus-shaped hair ornament. The broad shoulders and 4x. Barrett, Cola Bronzes, p. 38. Kodumudi is located in Coim-
the powerful chest splendidly express the almighty batore district, in the old Kongu country.
god's grandeur and glory. 42. The image has been dated by Sivaramamurti-who calls it
The outline of the face and the treatment of the torso Pandya-to the tenth century, by P. R. Srinivasan to about 950,
suggest that this bronze is not far removed in time from by Barrett to about 940.
43. Sivaramurti, Bronzes, pl. 15 b (with prabha); P. R. Sriniva-
the Melappaluvur relief. We might also place it some- san, Bronzes, fig. 9I; Barrett, Cola Bronzes, pls. 73-74.
5I