Four-armed Narasimha with Consort, 14th–15th century. Bronze, height: 5 1/2 in. (14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg, 2021.1.70 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2021.1.70_overall_PS11.jpg)
Four-armed Narasimha with Consort, 14th–15th century. Bronze, height: 5 1/2 in. (14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg, 2021.1.70 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2021.1.70_back_PS11.jpg)
Four-armed Narasimha with Consort
Asian Art
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
14th–15th century
PERIOD
Vijayanagar Period
DIMENSIONS
height: 5 1/2 in. (14.0 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Asian Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
2021.1.70
CREDIT LINE
Bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1998, provenance not yet documented; by 1998, acquired by Samuel Eilenberg of New York; 1998, bequeathed by Samuel Eilenberg to the Brooklyn Museum; April 6, 2021, accessioned by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Narasimha, the half-lion, half-man avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu sits with his ankles crossed and knees supported by a band (used as an aid to long seated meditation) with his female consort seated on his left knee. Narasimha has four arms: the lower two are pendant and empty, the upper two hold the chakra (discus) and shankha (conch shell) typically carried by avatars of Vishnu. The lions large mouth is open and he sits on a lotus throne atop a platform with a tiny figure of a devotee -- possibly Prahlada, the faithful son of a demon who figures prominently in the Narasimha story.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Four-armed Narasimha with Consort, 14th–15th century. Bronze, height: 5 1/2 in. (14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg, 2021.1.70 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2021.1.70_overall_PS11.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 2021.1.70_overall_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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