A GRAY SCHIST BUST OF VISHNU, KASHMIR, 8TH-9TH CENTURY This is a superb example of its type, expressively carved and subtly blending purity of form with intricate detail. The four-armed deity expressively carved standing, holding a conch and lotus flower in his main hands, the muscular body adorned with fine jewelry, the serene face with wide almond-shaped eyes below gently arched eyebrows. The finely incised curled hair elegantly falling over his shoulders and surmounted by a tall crown, the face framed by pendulous ears and backed by a halo.

Provenance: British trade.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, losses, signs of weathering and erosion, structural cracks, nicks, shallow surface scratches. All as expected from a stone figure of over 1000 years of age.

Weight: 528.3 g
Dimensions: Height 16 cm

Literature comparison: For a stylistically similar example with comparable iconography, see P. Pal, Indian Sculpture, vol. II, 1988, p. 71, cat. no. 14b.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 20 March 2008, lot 338
Price: USD 39,400 or approx. EUR 50,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare green stone figure of Vishnu, Kashmir, 8th century
Expert's remark: Note the size of 26 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 20 March 2012, lot 42
Price: USD 20,000 or approx. EUR 24,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A green stone figure of a deity, Kashmir, 9^th century
Expert's remark: Note the size of 25 cm