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Ancient Vishnu Sculpture Fetches Millions at Auction
22 Oct
Summary
- Pala period Vishnu sculpture sold for £635,000.
- Sculpture realized over nine times its high estimate.
- The artwork dates back to the 11th-12th century.
A significant 11th-12th century sculpture of Vishnu, originating from northeastern India during the Pala period, recently commanded a price of £635,000 at Christie's in London. This exceptional blackstone stele, standing 41.5 inches high, far surpassed expectations, realizing over nine times its high estimate at the June 11 sale.
The artwork, a highlight from the 'Sublime Shadows: South Asian Art from a Distinguished Collection' auction, demonstrated the refined skill of Pala period artisans. Despite some missing sections, the surviving carving vividly portrays Vishnu's features, clothing, and elaborate jewelry, including a near-transparent sash and detailed necklaces. Subsidiary figures, such as Lakshmi and Saraswati, are depicted on the back panel, alongside mythical creatures and donor figures, creating a rich composition.
The sculpture's provenance traces back to the René Jaquerod Collection in Zurich. It was previously sold at Christie's in March 1973, and the buyer from that sale retained it for 53 years until its reappearance in June 2026. The 93-lot sale, featuring works from a collection amassed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, achieved a total of £18,909,996, with the Vishnu sculpture being a standout success.
