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Antique Phnom Da Style Bronze Khmer Hari Hara or Vishnu & Shiva - 57cm/23"
Measures - (Height) 57cm/23"
An antique Phnom Da style bronze pre-Angkor image of Hari Hara, that extraordinary deity, half Vishnu and half Shiva, in whom two aspects of one divine phenomenon are conjoined. Vishnu (Hari), the cosmic force of creation and Shiva (Hara), the cosmic force of destruction, represent the two opposing but complimentary forces of life and death that endlessly interact to perpetuate the world.
Based on descriptions in ancient Hindu literature, the Harihara iconography was first formulated in India during the Gupta period. The deity was split vertically, half Vishnu and half Shiva.
Stylistically, this lovely pieces relates to the school of sculpture associated with the pre-Angkorian centre of Phnom Da, southern Cambodia.
The Vishnu half of the sculpture weighs a mitre on the head and the Shiva half displays a matted chignon formed by loops of hair. Arched eyebrows, moustache, expressive lips, aquiline nose and open eyes define the face.
His eyes are downcasts as he extends grace to devotees. He wears a pleated waistcloth and an elaborate diadem. In his left hand he holds is staff as protector and preserver.
Vishnu is stood in a slightly flexed position. The waist cloth is secured by a simple belt amid vegetal patterns, a design repeated in the lower torque. Both are intended to evoke the power of the period and share the vocabulary of the central Cambodian Prei Kmeng style of the second half of the seventh century. The end of the robes has a sprayed and pleated fishtail design, visible below the belt. Gracefully, sweeping folds extend the full length of the robe, defining the contours of the body, a treatment developed most fully in the Phnom Da style.
In all, these characteristics place the sculpture in the late seventh- or early eighth century setting and suggest a cultural sharing with the workshops of the Phnom Da school.
The Vishnu has perfect balance and proportions which are the key to a fine Vishnu sculpture. The carving is beautiful as you can see in the fine details of the face. Each detail is rendered perfectly.The details of this piece are particularly appealing.The perfect traditional in appearance Vishnu to bring serenity and timeless style to you home, office or sacred space.
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