Lot 236: A SOUTH INDIAN COPPER ALLOY SHRINE OF VISHNU AND THE DASHAVATARA, 18TH-19TH CENTURY.
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This complex, tiered religious altarpiece or shrine is cast from a copper alloy and depicts Lord Vishnu at the centre, surrounded by his ten principal incarnations known as the Dashavatara. The central figure is represented in the form of Venkateswara, standing within an arched prabhavali (aureole), identifiable by the prominent U-shaped namam mark on the forehead. The figure is four-armed, holding the shankha (conch) and chakra (discus) in the upper hands, while the lower hands are positioned in the abhaya (protection) and varada (boon-giving) mudras. The ten avatars are arranged across multiple architectural levels. Matsya (the fish) is positioned at the rear of the top section. The other avatars include Kurma (the tortoise), the boar-headed Varaha holding a sword, the lion-headed Narasimha, Vamana (the dwarf) holding a chhatra (parasol), Parashurama holding an axe, Rama with a long bow, Balarama with a plough, and Krishna depicted as Venugopala playing the flute. The figure of Kalki is positioned at the absolute summit of the composition. The entire structure is supported on a rectangular base with four bun-shaped feet. The piece is cast in a vernacular style with softened features.
H: Approximately 19.5cm
Condition report:
The sculpture exhibits a heavy, dark patina with significant surface encrustation throughout, which is characteristic of long-term ritual use or storage in a shrine environment. There is a build-up of surface dirt and possible oxidation products in the recessed areas of the casting. The metalwork remains structurally sound, although the fine details of the figures have become softened due to both the casting quality and the surface accumulation.
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