A LIMESTONE STELE OF VISHNU, LATE MALLA, THREE KINGDOMS PERIOD
Nepal, 1520-1768. Finely carved as Vishnu standing in samabhanga atop a lotus base, holding a conch shell, battle club, lotus bud and war discus in his four hands, wearing a richly incised dhoti pleated to the front. The body adorned with elaborate jewelry, including armlets, wristbands, and foliate earrings. His face with heavy-lidded eyes below gently arched brows and slender lips forming a calm smile, backed by a halo. Embellished with a vanamala (long floral garland) reaching his knees, the relief is set within a foliate arch.


Provenance
: Belgian trade, by repute acquired from a local collection in Ghent.

Condition
: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, shallow surface scratches, signs of weathering and erosion. Small losses, nicks and cracks, some encrustations. Remnants of red pigment.

Weight: 2,287 g
Dimensions: Height 22.8 cm (excl. stand), 26.5 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted to an associated oakwood stand. (2)


Vishnu’s four hands hold objects that are symbols of his divine qualities and martial kingly attributes
: a chakra or war-disk (representing the mind), a conch shell (the four elements), a lotus flower (the moving universe) and the club (primeval knowledge).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s Paris, 10 June 2014, lot 333
Estimate: EUR 8,000 or approx.
EUR 9,500
adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Sandstone stele representing Vishnu Nepal, Malla period, 18th century


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Paris, 20 June 2017, lot 160
Price: EUR 7,500 or approx.
EUR 8,700
adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Stone stele representing Vishnu, Nepal, 17thcentury
Expert remark: Note the size (42 cm).




馬拉王朝末期三國時代石灰石毗濕奴碑


尼泊爾，1520-1768 年。 毗濕奴立於蓮座上，四手持著海螺、蓮花、金剛杵和法輪，衣紋流暢，佩戴精緻的珠寶，如臂環、腕帶和葉形耳環。雙眼微閉，眉毛輕彎，笑容安詳，背後有光背。


來源：
比利時古玩交易，據說是從根特當地收購。

品相：
狀況極好，大面積磨損、淺表面劃痕、風化和侵蝕跡象，小缺損、刻痕和裂縫、一些結殼，紅色素殘留。

重量：2,287 克
尺寸：高 22.8 厘米 (不含底座)，總高 26.5 厘米

木底座 (2)


毗濕奴四個法器
分別為海螺、蓮花、金剛杵和法輪，象徵著四種元素、宇宙、知識和心靈。


拍賣結果比較：


形制：非常相近
拍賣：巴黎蘇富比，2014年6月10日，lot 333
估價：EUR 8,000（相當於今日
EUR 9,500
）
描述：尼泊爾、十八世紀石雕毘濕奴立像碑


拍賣結果比較：


形制：相近
拍賣：巴黎蘇富比，2017年6月20日，lot 160
價格：EUR 7,500（相當於今日
EUR 8,700
）
描述：十七世紀尼泊爾石雕毘濕奴立像碑
專家評論：請注意尺寸 (42 釐米)。