-
Antique Phnom Da Style Mounted Sandstone Vishnu Torso - 43cm/17"
Measurements - Height 43cm/17"
An antique pre-Angkor seventh century Phnom Da style Khmer sandstone Vishnu torso, the Indic deity of creation. The divine Hindu preserver and protector of human life, a role that provided natural analogies with earthly kingship for the Khmer.
The Vishnu is stood samabhanga, wearing a cylindrical miter on his head. One row of curls emerges from under the miter over his forehead, increasing in size down either side of his face. Five rows of long corkscrew curls hang down in back over the nape of his neck. Lush lips, almond shaped eyes and an aquiline nose define his face. Distended earlobes may once have been adorned with real earrings.
The Deity is clothed in a 'sampot can spin' and scarf indicated by indented lines. The patterns created by the folded extremities of the scarf or scarves appear to anticipate the more complex patterns that were to become apparent later in this same period. One end of the sampot is passed through the legs and fastened in back with the extremity forming a small fan shape above the waistline.
The Vishnu torso has a slender waist, broad hips and shoulders, not as muscular as earlier seventh century Khmer Vishnu images, but is far more graceful.
The Vishnu torso is loose mounted on a wood base (later).
Scholarly Reference:
New York Metropolitan Museum Collection - Accession Number: 1977.241
Christie's Auction House - Sale 5080 (November 2003) - COLLECTION DE MR GEORGES HALPHEN
Provenance: Ex- private US Collection. All items are guaranteed to be as described. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all purchases upon request.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - We have been offering SE Asian Art, through our website, for many years and are proud of the reputation we have developed for fair and honest listings. However, if for any reason, whatsoever, you are unhappy with your purchase please just let us know and we will provide a full refund. We want you to be 100% happy with your purchase.
-
The majority of orders will be shipped with DHL. This is a secure, express and fully tracked service.
Items less than 2Kg we typically ship using Royal Mail.
Once we receive your order we try to ship all orders the same or next working day.
Large and/or fragile pieces requiring palletising, specialist crating and/or extra packaging may take a little longer. Palletised shipments will be delivered curbside.
All orders over 35 GBP will be shipped free of charge. -
We genuinely hope that all purchases delight.
However, if they do not, regardless of reason, we will refund all orders upon receipt of the unwanted item. Just notify us within 14 days of receiving your order that you wish to make a return and send the piece back to us with 30 days of delivery.
The connection between Shiva and his mount Nandi is a profound and multi-layered symbol in Hinduism.
Nandi is not just a mere vehicle for Shiva; he is a symbol of devotion, strength, and purity—qualities that complement and enhance Shiva’s transformative power.