Vintage South Indian terracotta devotional sculpture of Vishnu on a stylised Kurma, the cosmic tortoise, base emerging from the ocean. Mid-20th century, sourced from Puducherry. 1950's.
A striking and unusually large vintage terracotta figure of Vishnu, the preserver deity of the Hindu trinity, depicted holding the chakra, the discus, and shankha, the conch. It dates to the 1950s.
Sourced in Puducherry, this piece reflects the long-standing South Indian devotional terracotta tradition, with a moulded clay body finished in hand-applied pigments over a gesso ground.
The figure stands upon a stylised Kurma, the cosmic tortoise, base emerging from the ocean. A reference to the Samudra Manthan Churning of the Ocean myth, a subtle but meaningful iconographic detail rarely noted in later decorative examples.
At over 31 cm in height, the sculpture has a strong vertical presence. The surface shows extensive and attractive devotional wear, with areas of paint loss revealing the underlying fired clay, giving the piece genuine age and character.
The hollow underside with original firing aperture is typical of workshop production intended for shrine use.
Terracotta statues such as these are widely sought after for display in boutique hotels and contemporary interiors, as demonstrated at Villa Helena in Puducherry. LAST THREE IMAGES.
This example is a highly decorative and authentic example of South Indian folk religious art, particularly appealing for collectors of Indian devotional sculpture or for interior settings seeking characterful, culturally rooted objects. Please look carefully at the photographs as they form part of the description.
Height: 31.5 cms. Width at base: 11.5 cms. Depth: 10.5 cms. Weight: 1.07 Kgs.
Price: £115.00. ANTIQUE BAJOT TABLE FOR DISPLAY ONLY AND NOT INCLUDED. BUT AVAILABLE IN A SEPARATE LISTING.
Postage: £8.00. UK mainland dispatch by Royal Mail 2nd Class Signed For courier service, For overseas dispatch refer to details of eBay's GSP, Global Shipping Programme, by clicking on SEE DETAILS in the postage section under the BUY IT NOW button.
SKU number: 13023.
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