A sandstone stele of Vamana Central India, probably Uttar Pradesh, 10th/ 11th Century


standing in abhanga pose on a stepped base, lower hands in varada mudra, one holding a conch, the other with a rosary, upper hands holding a mace and a chakra, depicted with softly arching brows, full cheeks and slight smile, with hair in snail-shell curls and usnisa, srivatsa to chest, adorned with jewellery and pendent leg ornaments, with lotus halo, a seated attendant either side of the halo, further attendants at his feet 53.4 cm. high
|ProvenanceChristie's, Indian, Himalayan and South East Asian Works of Art, London, Wednesday 2nd July 1980, Lot 177.Vamana is the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu. In Hindu mythology, Vishnu sought to regain supremacy from the usurper God King Bali on behalf of Indra. He disguised himself as a dwarf and asked Bali for a piece of land three steps wide. The King granted his permission, at which moment Vamana transformed himself into the giant Trivikrama and took two enormous steps, with which he encompassed earth and the heavens. With his third step Vamana stepped on the head of King Bali, pushing him down to rule the underworld instead.