Indian Silver Vishnu Vase

Large Silver Ceremonial Bowl & Stand with Avatars of Vishnu

This striking bowl and stand is very finely chased with Hindu figures amid scrolling foliage. It is made of very thickly walled silver and so has a surprising weight. The almost excessive use of silver weight suggests that the piece was commissioned with the commissioner presenting the silversmith with a quantity of silver with the instructions that it should all be used. The bowl is separate to the stand and sits firmly within the stand.

The bowl itself is chased with the ten avatars of Vishnu:

1. Matsya (the fish)

2. Koorma (the tortoise)

3. Varaha (the boar)

4. Narasimha (the human-lion – shown on this bowl as a lion-man figure about to devour a human victim.)

5. Vamana (the dwarf)

6. Parasurama (the angry man – presented on this bowl as a figure with an axe, a bow and an arrow.)

7. Rama (the perfect man, king of Ayodha)

8. Krishna (the divine statesman – shown here as Krishna on a cobra throne.)

9. Balarama (elder brother of Krishna)

10. Kalki (the warrior.)

Kalki (the warrior), the last avatar, is yet to appear and so somewhat poetically is represented on this bowl has a horse saddled up and with an umbrella overhead but with no rider.

Above and below the central band of Vishnu avatars are various animals and animal heads.

The stand is chased with various deities, including Garuda, the

vahana or vehicle or Vishnu.

The condition of this piece is excellent. There are no dents, splits or repairs and the chasing work remains crisp; it has not been worn by years of polishing. It is an unusual bowl and stand; we are not aware of another like it. It is heavy, of particularly high-grade, solid silver and of relatively grand proportions. Its precise function is unclear however. Perhaps it might have been commissioned to serve as a flower bowl to adorn the altar of a wealthy household.

UK private collection.