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Garudasana Vishnu

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, North, 2nd floor (Japan)

Vishnu, the Preserver, is mounted on his vahana, or vehicle, the mythical bird Garuda.

MEDIUM Gilt Bronze
  • Place Made: Angkor Wat, Cambodia
  • DATES late 11th - early 12th century
    PERIOD Khmer Period
    DIMENSIONS 7 13/16 x 3 9/16 x 1 3/4 in. (19.9 x 9.1 x 4.5 cm) Display height (tang hidden): 6 13/16 in. (17.3 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 85.220.4
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Poster
    PROVENANCE Prior to 1969, provenance not yet documented; by 1969, acquired by George P. Bickford of Cleveland, OH; after 1975, acquired by Amy and Robert Poster of New York, NY; 1985, gift of Amy and Robert Poster to the Brooklyn Museum.
    Provenance FAQ
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Vishnu, four-armed, stands on the shoulders of the winged Garuda, who is in a stance of walking with one leg forward. Vishnu holds his usual attributes, including the chakra (wheel) in his uplifted right hand, a shanka (conch) in his uplifted left hand, and a gada (mace) in the lower left hand. The lower right hand expresses varada mudra, the gift-bestowing gesture. Garuda's arms are raised and his tail feathers curve upward and are attached to his back with a looped rod. The wing feathers are clearly modeled whereas those on his haunches are incised. The bronze clearly shows traces of gilding which was a common decorative technique in Cambodian bronze images. (lost wax casting, mercury gilding) Condition: Intact. Excellent malachite green patination and traces of gold. The object was brought to the Lab since the previously repaired join failed at the Photographer. Please see Treatment Report, 4/17/03.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, North, 2nd floor (Japan)
    CAPTION Garudasana Vishnu, late 11th - early 12th century. Gilt Bronze, 7 13/16 x 3 9/16 x 1 3/4 in. (19.9 x 9.1 x 4.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Poster, 85.220.4. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.220.4_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 85.220.4_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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