Sandstone. Old Khmer Kingdom, 7th to 8th cent.
Very rare and important temple sculpture depicting the standing Hindu-deity Vishnu. He is regarded as the embodiment of the godly benevolence and “conservator†of world and life. Vishnu stands frontally oriented; the upper body is naked; the garment adjoining from the navel onwards bound by a belt and holds a strictly vertical band centrally at the front. Anatomically fine articulated upper body with strong pronounced shoulders. Distinct is the tall cylindrical mitra, a kiritamukuta. Several stylized locks of hair fall down along the neck from underneath the crown. The look in the visage is directed frontally, the expression mild, youthful with delicate features and gently smiling. This can be quite typical for depictions from this period. The portrayal can be associated with the Phnom Da style. The four arms are only preserved up to their beginnings, one of them, however, up to the wrist. The feet, likewise, are not preserved. Otherwise the condition, consistent with its age, is very good; the usual traces of weathering are rather scarce. Mounted on a stepped black base.
HEIGHT (WITHOUT BASE) 97 CM, TOTAL 116 CM
Originally from an old Belgian private collection, then on the German art market