Balinese School, Sculpture of Vishnu on Garuda, 1920, Wood

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Carved and polychrome-painted wooden figure of Wisnu (Vishnu) riding Garuda, Bali, Indonesia, circa 1920.

Garuda, Vishnu’s mythical mount, appears as … Read more Carved and polychrome-painted wooden figure of Wisnu (Vishnu) riding Garuda, Bali, Indonesia, circa 1920.

Garuda, Vishnu’s mythical mount, appears as a half-bird, half-human figure with a green face, open beak, jewellery and large outstretched wings. Wisnu sits on his shoulders in a high crown, leaning forward in the traditional Balinese pose. The wings and tail feathers are carved separately and set into the body.

The sculpture retains its original polychromy in red, green, cream, ochre and black, with traces of gilding in the ornament. The paint is worn in the recesses, with chips and losses consistent with age. A split is visible in the base.

An early 20th-century Balinese carving of a central Hindu subject: Vishnu as preserver, carried by Garuda. See less