A South Indian copper alloy figure of Anantashayana. Probably 19th century - image-1

Lot 529 Dα

A South Indian copper alloy figure of Anantashayana. Probably 19th century

Auction 1080 - overview Cologne
09.12.2016, 11:00 - Asian Art - Indian Bronzes from the Günter Heil Collection / Japanese Art
Estimate: 800 € - 1.000 €
Print page
Watchlist

A South Indian copper alloy figure of Anantashayana. Probably 19th century

A South Indian copper alloy figure of Anantashayana with the four-armed Vishnu resting on the coiled seven-headed snake Ananta (Shesha), which spreads out its hood above Vishnu, his upper hands holding shankha and chakra, from his navel grows a lotus which supports the three-headed Brahma; his consorts Lakshmi und Bhu Devi massage Vishnu’s legs and feet, at the base sixteen rishis, behind Vishnu a flaming torana surmounted by a kirtimukha with Kaitabha und Madhu?, within the torana a palm-like ornament. Probably 19th century.
Height 15 cm; length 11.3 cm

At the end of the cosmic era (kalpa), Vishnu rests in meditative sleep on the serpent Ananta on the Ocean of Milk, waiting for Brahma to create a new universe. When Vishnu awakes from his slumber a lotus springs forth from his navel, with Brahma seated on it, and Lakshmi massages his leg. Brahma will be responsible for the re-creation of the world in a new cosmic era.

Provenance

Collection Günter Heil (1938-2014), Berlin