Vishnu
c. 11th/ 12th century, Pala Dynasty
Northeastern India
Black stone stele
26 x 13 in. (66 x 33 cm.)
Provenance: Private American Collection

The four-armed deity, standing on a lotus pedastel over a stepped plinth with scrolling tendrils and two adorative figures, holding the staff, chakra and conch shell, wearing a short dhoti secured by an elaborate beaded festoon, further adorned with multiple necklaces and armbands, the finely carved face surmounted by a conical chignon and foliate tiara, flanked by Lakshmi and Sarasvati holding a vina, the openwork backplate centered by kirttimukha mask, two apsaras amid elaborate scrollwork above.