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India 11th-12th c.; Pala period Grey black stone Height – 79cm (85cm including stand) |
 Detail: close up Visnu is depicted here in his familiar Trivikrama form, in a frontal pose and with his characteristic attributes: the mace (gada) in his upper right hand, the lotus (padma) behind his lower right hand, the wheel (cakra) in his upper left hand and the conch (sankha) in his lower left. On his head he wears a crown, symbolising his supreme authority, and his body is adorned with jewellery. He is accompanied by his consort Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) on his right and Sarasvati (goddess of knowledge and the arts) on his left, both in the tribhanga (thrice bent) posture. Several features are typical of works of the late Pala period: the rich and elaborate carving, the detachment of the central figure from the main slab, and the way in which the stele rises to a point at the top. The cult of Vishnu was also particularly widespread in the late Pala period as the region experienced an increase in Hindu practice. |
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