block
- Museum number
- 1872,0701.50
- Description
-
Sculpted sandstone slab depicting Matsya. In this large and striking sculpture of the first incarnation of Vishnu, the fish form of the 'avatara' occupies the central ground. His saviour qualities are suggested by the shrine he carries on his back, which he has rescued from the all-consuming waters.
- Production date
- 9thC-10thC
- Dimensions
-
Height: 135 centimetres
-
Width: 81.20 centimetres
-
Depth: 28 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Blurton 1992:
It has been suggested (Joshi, 1991) that many of the visual references are specific to Prayaga (modern Allahabad), sacred on account of the juncture of the Ganges and the Jumna. If so, the devotee who took 'darshan' of this image may have thus obtained benefit partly equivalent to a pilgrimage to Prayaga itself.
- Location
- On display (G33/od)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2016-2017, 21 Oct-21 Apr, Perth, Australia, Western Australian Museum, “Travellers and Traders in the Indian Ocean World”
- Acquisition date
- 1872
- Acquisition notes
- Purchased by John Bridge at the Stuart sale at Christie's in June, 1830. The collection was given to the British Museum in 1872 by Mrs John Bridge and his nieces, Miss Fanny Bridge and Mrs Edgar Baker, on the death that year of George Bridge, brother of John Bridge.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1872,0701.50