Antique Indonesian Style Java Majapahit Standing Bronze Vishnu Statue - Protector & Preserver - 51cm/20"

Measurements  Height 51cm/20"

An antique Java Style bronze Vishnu sculpture stood samapada in 13th century Majapahit style.

Vishnu is both world protector and preserver, restorer of moral order - he is all-powerful and all-pervasive by nature. Here Vishnu is stood samabhanga on a raised, decorated pedestal.

In his hands Vishnu  holds his gada or mace symbolising his mental and physical strength and mala beads. His lower right hand is held in a gesture that represents his charity. HIs lower left hand in a gesture of teaching. 

He wears a richly bejewelled dohti and upavita. His face has a downcast gaze. Upon his head he wears a decorative Javanese style tiara in front of his Kirita-Makuta or tall conical crown. This symbolises control over Positive and Negative attitudes.

On his forehead he has a third eye or urna. He has an aquiline nose and elongated earlobes with large ear rings.

Vishnu is backed by an aureole. The presence of an aureole or halo symbolises the divinity of the deity.

The sculpture has a wonderful azurite and malacite patina and is loose mounted on a wood base. 

Scholarly Reference:

New York Metropolitan Museum Collection - Accession Number: 1987.142.15

Christie's Auction House - Sale 2562 (December 2002) - INDIAN, HIMALAYAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART

Christie's Auction House - Sale 2612 (December 2003) - INDIAN, HIMALAYAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART

Bonhams - March 2018 - Fine Southeast Asian Arts

Provenance: Ex- private London collection. All items are guaranteed to be as described. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all purchases upon request.

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