Vishnu Manifests Brahma through His Navel

Vishnu Manifests Brahma through His Navel

1700s-1800s
Country
India
Object
sculpture
Accession Number
1966.16
Credit Line
Museum Exchange
Vishnu Manifests Brahma through His Navel. 1700s-1800s. Museum Exchange. 1966.16.
Dimensions
height: 11.75 in, 29.8450 cm; width: 7 in, 17.7800 cm; depth: 13.75 in, 34.9250 cm
Department
Arts of Asia
Collection
Arts of Asia
This object is currently on view

Reclining Vishnu
1700s–1800s
Southern India
Bronze
Museum exchange
1966.16

This sculpture shows the continued quality of bronze casting in Southern India. Hinduism prevailed in this region, uninterrupted by the Muslim conquest to the north. This allowed the various centers of bronze casting to continue manufacturing Hindu imagery until the present day. This piece depicts the birth of Brahma, and may have been made originally for a shrine in an affluent household. Garuda, the half-man/half-eagle vehicle of Vishnu, kneels at the feet of the reclining god.