Untitled

Unknown

17th–18th century · Ivory · Asian Art

Vishnu periodically manifests himself on earth to save the world from cosmic dangers. His ten avatars are: Matsya, the fish; Kurma, the tortoise; Varaha, the boar; Narasimha, the man-lion; Vamana, the dwarf; Parasurama; Rama; Krishna; the Buddha; and Kalki, the avatar yet come. Here, he is raised on a pedestal and flanked by his two wives.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th–18th century

Medium

Ivory

Culture

India (Tamil Nadu)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Klejman, 1962