Vishnu with Consorts

Object Details

• Label

  This stone stele features the Hindu god Vishnu, who may be recognized by his specific attributes. The mace and discus in his upper hands are his royal weapons, while the lotus and conch shell in his lower hands represent respectively purity and the watery origins of life. The crowned god stands surrounded by hovering celestial beings and flanked by Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, who carries a fly whisk, as well as Sarasvati, goddess of knowledge, who holds a musical instrument. Garuda, Vishnu's eagle vehicle, kneels to the left of the double-lotus base. This stone stele would once have occupied a niche in the outer walls of a temple dedicated to Vishnu.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas (October 16, 2004 to January 3, 2016)

  South Asian Sculpture (February 22, 2000 to June 18, 2003)

  South and South East Asian Art (May 9, 1993 to February 7, 2000)

  Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (May 4, 1988 to July 9, 2017)

  The Arts of South Asia (May 13, 1985 to December 2, 1985)

  The Ramayana (July 18, 1983 to April 15, 1984)

  Hindu and Buddhist Art (April 1, 1982 to July 18, 1983)

  Hindu and Buddhist Art (January 28, 1981 to September 24, 1981)

  Indian Art (January 1, 1963 to January 28, 1981)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Art, Gallery 8 (July 15, 1958 to January 1, 1963)

  Centennial Exhibition, West Corridor (February 25, 1956 to July 11, 1958)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Painting, 1955 (October 24, 1955 to November 28, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Paintings and Sculpture (October 2, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Paintings, Gallery 7 (January 10, 1945 to October 2, 1947)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Paintings, Gallery 4 (May 5, 1933 to January 9, 1945)

  Untitled Exhibition, Shahnama and Chinese Art (March 24, 1930 to May 5, 1933)

  Near Eastern Pottery and Persian Painting (May 2, 1923 to March 14, 1931)

• Origin

  Bengal or Bihar, India

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s

• Place

  Bihar, Bengal, India

• Topic

  Conch shell, Art, Fly whisk, Sudarshana chakra, Ceremonial maces, Sarasvati, Stone, Garuda, South Asian and Himalayan Art, Vishnu, Schist, Lakshmi, Pala-Sena dynasty (750 - 1100)

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians, Apsarases

• Object Type

  Sculpture