About This Piece
19″ Vishnu Standing | Handcrafted Brass | Green Finish
This 19.5-inch standing brass sculpture depicts Lord Vishnu in his classical four-armed form, crafted in solid brass and finished in a deep antique green. The piece measures 19.5 inches in height, 7 inches in width, and 6.5 inches in depth, and weighs approximately 8.9 kilograms — a substantial, grounded object built to hold presence over generations.
The figure stands in a composed, upright posture on a tiered lotus pedestal with layered detailing across each level. The four arms are positioned in alignment with canonical iconography: the upper right hand holds the Sudarshana Chakra, the upper left holds the Panchajanya conch, the lower right is raised in the abhaya mudra offering protection, and the lower left carries the Kaumodaki mace. The chest bears ornamental necklaces, and the waist is wrapped in finely cast pleated drapery with decorative knotwork at the sides. The tall cylindrical crown, known as the kirita mukuta, is worked with layered ornamental detail, and the face carries a calm, composed expression characteristic of South Indian temple sculpture traditions. Each element of the ornamentation — the armbands, the beaded borders, the waistband motifs — is individually rendered rather than suggested, which speaks to the level of attention given to this casting.
Vishnu is understood in Hindu tradition as the preserver of cosmic order, the force that sustains balance across creation. His standing form, known as Sthanaka, is among the most venerated representations, conveying both accessibility and authority.
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, has been the material of choice for Indian devotional sculpture for centuries. It holds fine detail well during casting, develops character over time, and carries a density that distinguishes handcrafted metalwork from lighter alternatives.
The antique green finish applied to this piece gives it the weight and gravitas of aged temple metal. As with all handcrafted work, individual pieces will carry natural variation in tone and surface texture — no two are identical.
This sculpture is suited to a dedicated puja room, a home altar, or as a considered acquisition for someone building a collection of traditional Indian metalwork.
