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Head of Vishnu

400s CE

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

This head of Vishnu is identifiable by the squared crown typical for this deity. Its central medallion features a lion head framed by pearls. Additional strings of pearls issue from the lion’s mouth and are caught by two rampant animals (hippogriffs) that frame the medallion on both sides. Just below the lion head are two heads of <em>makaras</em> (aquatic monsters) with open mouths. The side of the crown has two round, plain medallions corresponding with the central one. In addition, there is a multitude of floral decoration which gives the crown a character of an intricate jewel.

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Learn more about this artwork.
  • Title: Head of Vishnu
  • Date Created: 400s CE
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 28 cm (11 in.)
  • Provenance: Ananda K. Coomaraswamy [1877–1947], (C.T. Loo [1880–1957], New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Type: Sculpture
  • Rights: CC0
  • External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1942.498
  • Medium: sandstone
  • Department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
  • Culture: Northern India, Mathura, Gupta period
  • Credit Line: Edward L. Whittemore Fund
  • Collection: Indian Art
  • Accession Number: 1942.498
The Cleveland Museum of Art

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