A STANDING VISHNU, BAPHUON, KHMER, 11TH CENTURY
This important carved and incised sandstone sculpture is very well preserved apart from the missing feet and arms. Vishnu is not wearing any carved jewelry though he may have been decorated with real jewelry during ceremonies.

Provenance: From an old German private collection. Acquired in Asia between ca. 1930 and 1952. Thence by descent. Zacke Auktionen Wien, November 30th, 2000, lot 98 (a copy of the original catalogue entry is accompanying this lot). A Swiss private collection, acquired from the above. An important Austrian collection, acquired from the above.
Condition: Extensive weathering and wear, minor dents, nicks and losses as visible on the images in the catalogue and online at www.zacke.at. Overall fine condition, especially when considering the age of this statue.

Weight: 25.1 kilograms (with base) and 20.9 kilograms (without the base)
Dimensions: Height 79.6 cm (without base)

As Hinduism was the state religion during the Baphuon period, the presented four-armed deity most likely represents a youthful Vishnu. The artist sculpted the figure with slightly bent legs to give it movement in an otherwise static posture. The carved and incised sampot and crown contrast finely against the smooth body parts.

Based on the developments of the previous half-century, artists of the Baphuon period introduced a number of new stylistic elements and refinements. For instance, the sampot draped around the hips of male deities dips in almost V-shape below the navel with graceful folds below the belt. It passes through the legs to form a curving bow at his back, terminating in a ‘butterfly knot’, an ubiquitous feature of the Baphuon style.

The presented figure is rather slim with long legs, relative short body while his head, neck and shoulders are naturalistically proportioned, all stylistic characteristics of the Baphuon style. The shape and features of his face, including the fleshly cheeks and full lips, give the sculpture a human touch.

The Baphuon period is arguably the highpoint in depiction of both male and female form in all Khmer art. One may even say that the materialized gods from this period are handsome and well built, and the goddesses sensual and graceful. This superb figure of Vishnu is presenting the deity in an idealized human form benefiting his name as Preserver of the Universe.
Auction result comparison: Compare with a related statue at Christies Paris on December 11th, 2013, in Art d’Asie, lot 348.