36. STATUETTE DE VISHNU EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE DORÉ NÉPAL, XIV/XVE SIÈCLE Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4894 18.4 cm (7 1/4 in.) high A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF VISHNU NEPAL, 14TH/15TH CENTURY 尼泊爾 十四/十五世紀 銅鎏金毗濕奴像 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s Vishnu is the divine preserver and protector of the universe. Here, he stands in samabhanga while holding hid attributes, which include a war discus, a mace, and a lotus stem. A short dhoti wraps around his sensuous thighs with long sashes falling at each of his sides. Wearing a tall foliate crown and decorative jewelry, the rich ornamentation is indicative of the Nepali aesthetic tradition of the Early Malla period. The overall modelling can be compared to another Vishnu image sold at Bonhams, New York, 16 March 2015, lot 3. For similar facial types and jewelery, refer to a seated figure of Amitayus, published in von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, 1981, pp. 356-7, no. 94C. Also compare to two larger figures of Lakshminarayana and Padmapani (ibid, pp. 360-2, nos. 96D & 97A).