Antique Java Style Indonesian Majapahit Seated Bronze Vishnu Statue - Protector & Preserver - 29cm/12"

Measurements Height 29cm/12"

An antique Java Style seated bronze Vishnu sculpture in the 13th century Majapahit style, from Indonesia.

Vishnu is both world protector and preserver, restorer of moral order - he is all-powerful and all-pervasive by nature.

The Vishnu is seated on a double lotus flower base, which is itself seated on a raised, decorated pedestal. He is seated, in the vajra position with his right leg is panhandle.

He holds in his hands a copy of the Hindu holy Vedas and a fly whisk. He holds in his left hand an alms bowl, representing his compassion and charity and his right hand in the wish-fulfilling mudra: his right hand facing down and the palm outward.

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 with a beaded border and flaming rim, topped by a decorative finial. The sculpture has a wonderful green patina.

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

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