Medium: Bronze
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:14th–15th century
Dimensions: height: 5 1/2 in. (14.0 cm)
Collections:
Accession Number: 2021.1.70
Image: 2021.1.70_overall_PS11.jpg,
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.