A PINK SANDSTONE BUST OF VISHNU, MADHYA PRADESH India, 8^th-9^th century or slightly earlier. The round face finely carved with almond shaped eyes below gently arched eyebrows, flanked by two ears with elongated earlobes, surmounted by a tall crown with a lion head at the center, and bejeweled with beaded pendants, round earrings, and an armlet, backed by a halo. Note the subtle yet distinct Gupta influence on the sculptural composition overall.

Provenance: Old Dutch private collection, by repute acquired no later than 2002. A French private collection, acquired from the above in 2018.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, minor losses, encrustations, nicks, scratches, few structural cracks.

Weight: 12 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 38.5 cm (excl. stand), 49 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted to a modern wood stand. (2)

Literature comparison:
Compare a related Gupta terracotta bust of Vishnu, dated to the 5^th-6^th century, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2000.82.