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Head of Vishnu

7th-8th century

Thailand, possibly Wiang Sa area

Sandstone

H. 16 3/4 x W. 8 1/2 x D. 9 in. (42.5 x 21.6 x 22.9 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.62

Provenance

John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY; acquired from Ben Heller, New York, NY, 1968.

The Asia Society, New York, NY, bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY, 1979.

Licensing inquiries

This austere head of the Hindu god Vishnu, carved fully in the round, is distinguished by a simple cylindrical crown, an attribute commonly associated with the god. Several characteristics suggest the provenance of the sculpture, which may have been produced in the central part of the Thai/Malay peninsula, possibly around the city of Wiang Sa, where other images of Vishnu have been found. They include the minimally flared shape of Vishnu's crown, the edge of the hairline seen beneath the crown, and the slightly rounded face and full features of the god. The shape of Vishnu's face and his type of features do not closely parallel the well-known Mon types found in other parts of peninsular Thailand and it is not certain what ethnic group was responsible for the production of sculptures in this style.