Vishnu Statue - Antique Phnom Da Style Khmer Vishnu with Gadanari and Chakrapurusha - 39cm/16"

 Vishnu Statue - Antique Phnom Da Style Khmer Vishnu with Gadanari and Chakrapurusha - 39cm/16"

Measurements - Height 39cm/16"

An antique pre-Angkor 7th century Phnom Da style Khmer bronze Vishnu, the Hindu deity of creation, joined by two personifications of his divine weapons. The divine Hindu preserver and protector of human life, a role that provided natural analogies with earthly kingship for the Khmer.

A rare and unusual sculpture both for its completeness, condition and the early period it represents offering a spirited presentation of this important deity. 

The central columnar figure of Vishnu is stood samabhanga, wearing a cylindrical miter on his head. A garland of wild flowers cascades from his shoulders.

His two personified attributes—Gadanari (Mace-woman) and Chakrapurusha (Chakra-man)—stand beside him. Vishnu is distinguished by his physical eminence, his garland of wild flowers, and four arms. The front right hand holds a lotus bud. The lotus flower represents purity, compassion and the giving of great joy to all. Two hands are placed on the heads of the personified attributes.

Gadanari, is the personification of Kaumodaki, the divine mace of Lord Vishnu. Gadanari symbolizes strength, destruction of evil, and the preservation of dharma (righteousness). As an extension of Vishnu’s power, Gadanari plays a vital role in upholding cosmic balance and justice.

Chakrapurusha, is the sentient form of Sudarshana Chakra, the divine discus of Lord Vishnu. As a representation of Vishnu’s supreme power and cosmic justice, Chakrapurusha plays a crucial role in maintaining dharma (righteousness) and eliminating evil forces that threaten cosmic balance.

Two additional acolytes can also be seen in the base offering darshan, the opportunity to be seen by Vishnu. 

The proportions and modelling of all three figures with simple ornaments reflect the neighboring Gupta and Pala styles. With his wide shoulders, robust arms, and columnar legs, Vishnu's figure...is similar in style to Balarama and Surya images in the British Museum [von Schroder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p.221, nos.47D-E]. 

Broad facial features reminiscent of the Gupta style, lush lips, almond shaped eyes and an aquiline nose define his face. Distended earlobes are adorned with large decorative earrings.

The hair is dressed in a chakra decorated chignon in the Phnom Da style. A diadem surrounds the chignon. The head is surmounted by a lotus bud shaped ushnisha. 

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 long tail below the waistline.

The Vishnu sculpture 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 mounted on an integrated altar. Ablution waters, from the altar, are channeled down to the drain at the rear of the altar, instead of freely flowing down at the front of the altar.

Scholarly Reference:

Metropolitan Museum of Art (2015.500.4.10)

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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