Antique Vishnu Garuda Copper Statue. India. From 18.-19. Century.

Antique Vishnu Garuda copper statue. India. From 18.-19. Century. Vishnu sitting on his divine vehicle (vahana), the mythical bird king Garuda. The statue depicts, with the upper central figure Vishnu, the maintainer of the universe in Hinduism. He is flanked by his companions or manifestations (often Shridevi and Bhudevi or other divine figures). At the bottom, the winged half-man, half-eagle is seen in a kneeling or sitting position. He bears Vishnu on his shoulders and has his wings spread out to the sides to symbolize his flying through the universe. Provenance: The collection originated from a Danish nurse who, from around 1947-60, was part of the UN's vaccination program in Asia and Africa. In connection with this, she acquired this statue. The wear on this type of antique bronze figures almost always comes from ritual rubbing. In Hindu tradition, this type of wear is called a 'pujapatina'. During the daily prayers and rituals (puja) the face is the most prominent and sacred point, and the repeated touching and drying over the centuries wear away the sharp details, leaving the metal soft, smooth, and rounded, which is now considered an important sign of authenticity among collectors. The material is a copper metal alloy. Dimensions: ca. 9x4,5x3,5 cm. Stand: see pictures.