Stele with Vishnu, His Consorts, His Avatars, and Other Dieties, 11th century. Schist, 48 x 20 3/4 x 5 in., 192 lb. (121.9 x 52.7 x 12.7 cm, 87.09kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. David R. Nalin, 1991.244. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.244_SL1.jpg)
Stele with Vishnu, His Consorts, His Avatars, and Other Dieties, 11th century. Schist, 48 x 20 3/4 x 5 in., 192 lb. (121.9 x 52.7 x 12.7 cm, 87.09kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. David R. Nalin, 1991.244. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.244_bw_Design_scan.jpg)
Stele with Vishnu, His Consorts, His Avatars, and Other Dieties
Asian Art
On View: Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor
This icon depicts Vishnu flanked by his consorts, avatars, and other deities. Not all ten of the avatars are present. Striding Varaha the boar is at the top left, with the man-lion Narasimha below him, while the top two figures on the right appear to be Balarama with his plow and Rama with his bow and arrow. The other small figures include the god Brahma (portly and carrying a squarebowled spoon at the bottom left), two Vishnus, and another, unidentified deity. How to interpret this mix of avatars, additional Vishnu images, and Brahma is unclear.
MEDIUM
Schist
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
- Possible place made: Bangladesh, India
- Possible place made: Eastern region, West Bengal, India
DATES
11th century
PERIOD
Pala Period
DIMENSIONS
48 x 20 3/4 x 5 in., 192 lb. (121.9 x 52.7 x 12.7 cm, 87.09kg) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Asian Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
1991.244
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Dr. David R. Nalin
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1991, provenance not yet documented; by 1991, acquired by Dr. David R. Nalin of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 1991, gift of Dr. David R. Nalin to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor
CAPTION
Stele with Vishnu, His Consorts, His Avatars, and Other Dieties, 11th century. Schist, 48 x 20 3/4 x 5 in., 192 lb. (121.9 x 52.7 x 12.7 cm, 87.09kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. David R. Nalin, 1991.244. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.244_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1991.244_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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