Vishnu Avatars

Six Polychrome & Carved Wooden Images of Vishnu

These six wooden and polychrome statuettes represent various avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu. The form and colours suggest South Indian origins. Among the avatars represented is Matsya, the fish-avatar who saved Manu from the great deluge and rescued the Vedic scriptures by killing a demon; Kurma, the tortoise-avatar, who helped in the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean; Varaha, the boar-avatar, who rescued the earth from the ocean; and Parashurama, sage who killed the thousand-armed king Kartavirya Arjuna.

The six figures date to around 1900. They were acquired in the UK and most probably came to the UK during colonial times. The colours are bright and intact. There are some losses to the extremities here and there but overall are in a fine, stable condition.

Provenance:

UK art market