South Indian Bronze Vishnu

This cast bronze standing Vishnu shows the four-armed god standing in samapada, the rigid posture often favoured for central deities. The deity has broad, rounded shoulders, an over-sized head, and a high crown. The forehead has been cast with the type of tilaka (also known as urdhva pundra) associated with Vishnu and his followers.

His upper left hand holds aloft a conch. The lower left holds a discus or chakra.

The upper right holds a mace-like object but here might represent a lotus stem and bud (padma), and the lower left holds a mace (kaumodaki), which unconventionally points down allowing Vishnu to lean on it rather than the more usual representation of being held aloft.

Vishnu stands on a square platform of a type that would have slotted into a broader platform.

The image has an excellent, dark brown patina. Its contours have been softened from puja-related wear. It is in excellent condition.