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Enthroned Vishnu

second half of the 8th–early 9th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 239
This monumental sculpture — the largest in the Museum’s South Asian collection — is a rare example of the art of the Pandya dynasty, which, along with the Pallava dynasty, initiated the first great phase of temple building in South India. Vishnu sits on a lion throne in the relaxed, regal posture of lalitasana. His role in Hinduism is to restore order to the human world and to combat evils that threaten the stability of the universe. He originally held a conch (used as a battle trumpet) in his upper left hand and a war discus in his upper right, and his lower right hand was raised in abhaya-mudra.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Enthroned Vishnu
  • Period: Pandyan period (early 4th–13th century)
  • Date: second half of the 8th–early 9th century
  • Culture: India
  • Medium: Granulite
  • Dimensions: H. 9 ft. 9 in. (296.8 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, The Charles Engelhard Foundation Gift, in memory of Charles Engelhard, 1984
  • Object Number: 1984.296
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

Audio

Cover Image for 7950. Seated Four-Armed Vishnu, Part 1

7950. Seated Four-Armed Vishnu, Part 1

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