An antique Java Style seated bronze Vishnu sculpture in the 13th century Majapahit style.Vishnu is both world protector and preserver, restorer of moral order - he is all-powerful and all-pervasive by nature. The heavily encrusted Vishnu is seated on a lotus flower base, which is itself seated on a raised pedestal. The lower right hand holds a lotus blossom. The upper left a fly whisk. His left hand is held in a gesture of teaching (vitarka mudra). In this mudra the hands form the Darma wheel, which, at its most basic, represents the study of the dharma, practice through meditation, and moral discipline. This hand gesture is known as the Dharmachakra mudra and is often reserved for the iconography of either Vairocana or the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. The mudra represents the turning of the wheel and places the hands so that the thumbs and index fingers touch at the tips to form a wheel.This symbolises one of the most important moments in the life of Buddha, the occasion when he preached to his companions the first sermon after his Enlightenment in the Deer Park at Sarnath. It therefore denotes the setting into motion of the Wheel of the teaching of the Dharma. In this mudra the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle. This circle represents the Wheel of Dharma, or in metaphysical terms, the union of method and wisdom. He wears a richly bejewelled dohti and upavita. His face has a downcast gaze. Upon his head he wears a decorative Javanese style tiara in front of his Kirita-Makuta or tall conical crown. This symbolises control over Positive and Negative attitudes.On his forehead he has a third eye or urna. He has an aquiline nose and elongated earlobes with large ear rings. Vishnu is backed by an aureole, symbolising his divinity. The sculpture has a wonderful malachite and azurite encrusted patina. Scholarly Reference: New York Metropolitan Museum Collection - Accession Number: 1987.142.15Christie's Auction House - Sale 2562 (December 2002) - INDIAN, HIMALAYAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN ARTChristie's Auction House - Sale 2612 (December 2003) - INDIAN, HIMALAYAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN ARTBonhams - March 2018 - Fine Southeast Asian ArtsProvenance: Ex- private Boston, MA, USA collection. Provenance: Ex- private Boston, MA collection Medium: Bronze Dimensions: 29cm/12” General Condition: Good condition. Consistent with age. SCBR2846 For more beautiful Asian Art please also visit our website - HDAsianArt.com