{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O62162"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O62162/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BH6450/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BH6450/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BH6450","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017JT9017","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KV2856","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O62162/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O62162","accessionNumber":"IM.128-1927","objectType":"Figure","titles":[{"title":"Sculpture","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"A four-armed standing figure of the god Vishnu in the upright or samabhanga pose. The god stands erect and symmetrical, embodying in his person his cosmic role as the restorer of order and preserver of the universe. His four-armed form allows the display of his principal attributes: the upper right hand holds the flaming wheel (cakra) poised on the tips of the first two fingers; the upper left hand holds the flaming conch (sankha) similarly poised; the lower left, resting on the mace (gada). These are weapons of war – the cakra is a throwing discus, and the conch shell is used as a trumpet of battle, as witnessed in the battle scenes described in the epic Mahabharata. Visnu’s fourth hand, the lower right, is in abhaya-mudra, gesturing protection. These all serve to evoke Visnu’s role as guardian of the universe. The srivatsa, a triangular mark (now much abraded) is visible above the right breast, symbolising the source of the natural world as embodied in Visnu. This mark is also said to invoke Visnu’s consort Laksmi. \r\n\r\nThe figure is richly dressed in patterned cloth and jewellery. He wears a tapering conical crown (kirita-mukuta), characteristic of Visnu and particularly elaborate ear pendants (kundala) in the form of rearing makara. The waist-cloth is worn with girdle and sash, the former with long beaded ties extending between the legs, and the latter with projecting bows at the hips. A sacred cord, of beaded design suggestive of pearls, is tied in a bow on the chest. He is adorned with elaborate jewellery, most notably a large torque, armlets (keyura) and a pearl belt with kirttimukha-face buckle.\r\n\r\nThe figure stands on a circular lotus pedestal, cast in one piece with a rectangular base, the latter with upright tenons for the support of an arched-surround (prabha, now missing) and projecting rings for securing with cord during processional use. The tenons are supported by small rampant lions. \r\n\r\nThe patination of the bronze confirms that this is an excavated icon. It formed part of a cache of bronze images discovered at Coimbatore and presented to Lord Curzon of Kedleston during his term as Viceroy of India, between 1898 and 1905.","physicalDescription":"A four-armed standing figure of the god Vishnu in the upright or samabhanga pose. The god stands erect and facing to the front, clad in a striped skirt, the torso being bare, but for the elaborate jewellery. The lower garment worn with girdle and sash, the former with long beaded ties extending between the legs, and the latter with projecting bows at the hips. Other details include a beaded sacred cord tied in a bow near the left breast, a band round the lower chest, keyura armlets, elbow bracelets, bangles, makara-kundala ear pendants, padasaras on the feet, and an armlet on the right foot only. On the head is the conical kirita-mukuta, characteristic of the God. The four arms display the following symbols: The upper right hand holds the wheel (cakra) poised on the tips of the first two fingers; the upper left hand holds the conch (sankha) similarly poised; the lower right is in abhaya mudra; the lower left, resting on the mace (gada). A srivatsa symbol, now abraded, is visible above the right breast.\r\nThe figure stands on a circular lotus pedestal, cast in one piece with a rectangular base, the latter with upright tenons for the support of an arched-surround or torana ( now missing) and projecting rings for rods. The tenons are supported by small rampant lions.\r\nThe figure and more particularly the base are heavily patinated.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"copper alloy","id":"AAT10942"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Copper alloy","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"},{"text":"Figures","id":"THES274372"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[{"text":"Chola","id":"AAT18913"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006BH6450","2017JT9017","2018KV2856"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES372093"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Figure","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Coimbatore","id":"x34746"},"association":{"text":"excavated","id":"AAT53702"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"10th century to 11th century","earliest":"0900-01-01","latest":"1100-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Lord Curzon of Kedleston","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"72.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"35","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"across raised arms","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"20","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"150","unit":"kg","qualifier":"approx.","date":{"text":"27/10/2007","earliest":"2007-10-27","latest":"2007-10-27"},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Bequeathed  in 1927 by Lord Curzon of Kedleston (Viceroy of India, 1898-1905)\r\n\r\nPart of the treasure trove exavated at Coimbatore, Madras Presidency, 15th Century A.D.  It formed part of the collection made by Lord Curzon of Kedleston during the course of his travels in the East in the latter part of the 19th century and during his residency in India as Viceroy and Governor General from 1898-1905.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Standing Vishnu, copper alloy, Coimbatore, south India, 10th-11th century","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"R Nagaswamy, \" Kongu Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum,\" Lalit Kala, nos 13-14, 1967-69, fig 3\r\nBethnal Green Museum. Eastern art objects: catalogue of a collection lent by Lord Curzon of Kedleston, H.M.S.O., London, 1910, p.19 case 14, no.1(   ).\r\nPublished in D.R.Thapar-Icons in Bronze-London/Bombay 1961 plate VIII described as \"Late Chola\".\r\nGuy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', London, V & A Publication, 2007, p.150, pl.169.\r\nISBN 9781851775095.\r\nGuy, John (ed.). ‘L’Escultura en els Temples Indis: L’Art de la Devocio’, Barcelona : Fundacio ‘La Caixa’, 2007. p.207.cat. 165.\r\nISBN 9788476649466"},{"reference":{"text":"L'escultura en el temples indis : l'art de la devoció : exposició organitzada per la Fundació \"La Caixa\" i el Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres. [Barcelona: Obra social, Fundació \"la Caixa\", c2007 Number: 9788476649466","id":"AUTH339669"},"details":"p.207, Cat.165","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Vishnu","id":"N746"}],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Hinduism","id":"AAT73727"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"VISHNU\r\nCopper alloy\r\nExcavated at Coimbatore,\nSouth India\r\nEarly Chola period\nc. 10th century\n\nThis magnificent icon embodies in its symmetry\nVishnu's essential role as the source of stability and\npermanence in the universe.  He holds his principal\nattributes, the flaming discus (cakra)  and conch shell,\nas emblems of his supreme suthority, whilst gesturing \nreassurance to his devotees with a gently raised hand.\nThe 'flattened' treatment of the figure establishes \nlinks with the preceding Pallava style.\n\n\n\r\nIM.128-1927\r\nBequeathed by Lord Curzon, Viceroy\r\nof India  (1898-1905)\r\n","date":{"text":"25/09/2000","earliest":"2000-09-25","latest":"2000-09-25"}}],"partNumbers":["IM.128-1927"],"accessionNumberNum":"128","accessionNumberPrefix":"IM","accessionYear":1927,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LR1413","2019LT7354","2019LW9220","2020MP1992","2020MP1993"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-02-17","recordCreationDate":"2001-08-16","availableToBook":false}}