An Exceptional and Highly Important Black Stone Vaishnavite Stele

collects ion of the late John A. Douglas, US State Department, Foreign Service, thence by descent

Made in sections with two side pillars, a separate arch and the central group with includes Vishnu’s inner halo. One section of the inner halo clean broken and reset, that includes the lotus that would have been held by Vishnu’s upper right hand and the section that extends from Narasimha to Rama (the middle figure of the left side of the left inner halo). The upper left quadrant of inner halo also re-attached. The chakra and the lower left hand projection broken at base and re-attached. Generally in very good condition but with losses overall including the head of the donor at lower right, Vishnu’s upper and lower hand at right and lower arm at left. Loss to tip of Vishnu’s nose. Loss of hamsa heads in lotus flower previously held by Vishnu’s upper right hand. Loss to the finial of Vishnu’s right earring. Loss to the lotus bud on top of Vishnu’s crown. Loss of finials on left and right shikhara. Also loss to the outer arch containing the solar nimbus. Damage to right leg and arm of the upper left warrior figure issuing from the makara at top of the right hand pillar. Accretion overall. Minor chips and losses throughout. Twentieth century varnished wood base.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This magnificent large-scale stele of Vishnu, carved in relief in black stone, is a tour de force of 12^th century Indian stone carving. The power of the sculpture is in part derived from the superb vision and skill of the artisans, and in part from the dense black stone which, S. Huntington explains, “enabled the carvers to achieve a high polish and exquisite detail, contrasting strongly to the earlier periods of South Asian art in which artists almost seem to transform less dense stone into flesh.” (S. Huntington, The Art of Ancient India, New York, 1985, p. 499)  

Vishnu is shown in a frontal linear stance with intent yet contained expression, wearing an octagonal crown, the eight facets decorated with alternating floral and checkered pattern with a detailed kirtimukha ornament in front. The halo is etched with bead, foliate and diamond patterns with a pointed solar nimbus in relief. He is wearing makara-shaped earrings that coil around his drooping earlobes, two necklaces punctuated with the kaustubha jewel on his chest, the sacred yajñopavita, armbands, a heavy girdle and feet ornaments. He is dressed in a dhoti with striated folds etched on his lower body, with a beautifully taut and knotted sash holding the girdle in place. The back of the sculpture shows the garment tucked in the lower back. Light emanating from the recessed open spaces framing the form of the deity would lend an ethereal aura to the sculpture.

Vishnu is shown holding his four attributes: lotus, mace, wheel and conch. The lotus (padma) represents spiritual liberation; the mace (kaumodi) his divine power and demoniac tendencies; the wheel (chakra) his awakened soul; and the conch (shankha) the five elements that he creates and maintains. The chakra has a coiled tassel that hangs from the center; the mace is decorated with undulating beaded patterns, and the stylized bud of the lotus has a tortile center where two confronting geese are depicted. These details not only bring to fore the skill of the artists but also lend a tactile quality to the stone sculpture.

The figures around Vishnu are identified as his ten avatars. These include the fish (matsya), tortoise (kurma), boar (varaha), lion-man (narasimha), dwarf (vamana), Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Gautama Buddha and Kalki. It is interesting to note that Kalki, considered the eleventh and future avatar of Vishnu, is depicted in this stele, whereas Krishna is missing. It is plausible that this switch was a result of Krishna's established status as the most significant and popular avatar of Vishnu. The two entities of Krishna and Vishnu had become so intertwined that the main figure represented both, which enabled the inclusion of Kalki, shown riding a horse. Next to Vishnu's head, included in the arch depicting the ten avatars, are Brahma on his right and Shiva on his left. The former is shown with pointy beard, holding a scroll of manuscripts, while the latter is identified by his attributes: a snake, trishul, kalash, the fourth hand in abhaya mudra.

Close to the feet of the central Vishnu are six figures, three on each side. These are identified as Padmapurusha and Shankhapurusha right next to him, and apsaras with nagadevatas. Two donor figures, a male and a female, kneel on inverted lotus pedestals, venerating the Supreme Lord. The central composition is surrounded by eight ancillary shrine-like arched chambers, which decorate the periphery of the central arch under which Vishnu stands. Each seated deity represents an emanation of Vishnu, depicted holding his four attributes and flanked by two female attendants. The two lower shrines and the outer relief of the middle panel show a tusked elephant mounted by a vyala. The four middle shrines have female attendants and the top two shrines on the corners have warrior figures emerging from the mouth of a wrathful makara. The shrine depicted just over Vishnu’s crown shows a figure seated in vajrasana, his two hands placed in the lap and lotus stems rising on either sides.