Vishnu and Lakshmi

Object Details

• Provenance

  Possibly 1950s-late 1970s-before May 1981

  Christian Humann (1929-1981), Pan-Asian Collection, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  After May 1981-1982

  Robert Hatfield Ellsworth (1929-2014), purchased after the death of Christian Humann [2]

  1982

  Sale, New York, NY, Christie’s, “The Pan Asian Collection,” December 1, 1982, lot 44 [3]

  1982-?

  Ownership information unknown

  ?-1992

  Leo S. Figiel, M.D. (1918-2013), method of acquisition unknown [4]

  From 1992

  National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Leo S. Figiel, M.D. [5]

  Notes:

  [1] See Christie’s, “The Pan Asian Collection” [auction catalogue], (New York, NY: Christie’s, December 1, 1982), lot 44, ill. Object is described as, “A North Indian Brass Group [/] 16th/17th century, possibly Bengal [/] Cast as Vishnu and Laksmi on their vehicle Garuda flanked by two smaller female attendants holding lotus gada, conch and another attribute on a tiered rectangular base backed by an openwork Prabha and lotus nimbus – [/] 91/2in. (24cm.) high.”

  Christian Humann (1929-1981), was a member of the investment banking family of Lazard Freres and a partner in the Wall Street firm of Tucker Anthony & R. L. Day, investment bankers, and assembled the Pan-Asian Collection from the 1950s through the late 1970s. About 160 objects from the Pan-Asian Collection were included in the exhibition “The Sensuous Immortals,” which was lent to the Denver Museum of Art from 1967 to 1977 and to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from 1977 to 1982. The New York art dealer, Robert Ellsworth (1929-2014), purchased the collection of about 1,600 objects following Humann’s early death.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See note 1.

  [4] See “Custody Receipt,” dated October 24, 1991, copy in object file. The object was transferred from Leo S. Figiel to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for acquisition consideration on October 24, 1991.

  Leo S. Figiel, M.D. (1918-2013) collected Islamic, Chinese, and Indian art. Notably his collection of Indian art included metal and stone sculptures, Mughal arms, and paintings. Born in Michigan, Dr. Figiel was also a scholar specializing in Indian art and published several books on the topic. In 1998, he sold his collection of Mughal arms at Butterfield and Butterfield in San Francisco, CA. Works from his collection may also be found at the Denver Art Museum; the Los Angeles Museum of Art; the University of Michigan Museum in Ann Arbor, MI; Detroit Institute of Arts; Peabody Essex Museum; and the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.

  [5] See Arthur M. Sackler, “Acquisition Consideration Form,” approved on January 15, 1992, copy in object file. See also signed “Deed of Gift to the Arthur M. Sacker Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution,” dated February 19, 1992, copy in object file. Object is described as “Lakshmi-Narayana.” From 1992-2023, the object was part of the National Museum of Asian Art’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection and on March 21, 2023, the work was internally transferred to the National Museum of Asian Art Collection.

  Research updated May 10, 2024

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Puja: Expressions of Hindu Devotion (Friday, April 26, 1996 - Sunday, July 09, 2000)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Christian Humann (1929-1981)

  Robert Hatfield Ellsworth (1929-2014)

  Dr. Leo S. Figiel (1918-2013)

• Origin

  Himachal Pradesh state, India

• Credit Line

  Gift of Leo S. Figiel, M.D.

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1300s

• Name

  Humann, Christian, Figiel, Leo S., Ellsworth, Robert Hatfield

• Place

  Himachal Pradesh state, India

• Topic

  Bronze, South Asian and Himalayan Art, Vishnu, Art, Sculpture, Chakra, Ceremonial maces, Puja, Lotus, Lakshmi, Garuda, Metal-work

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Sculpture