He wears a high, ornate crown formed with rosettes linked by looped swags, as well as heavy earrings, a necklace, a thick garland swathed round the upper arms, and a lower garment tied at the waist. His nimbus and two additional arms proclaim his divine nature. The four hands and the distinguishing attributes which they held are now missing. This iconography of Vishnu had developed during the Kushan period in the early centuries AD. As with other Hindu and Buddhist icons, it came to full expressive maturity in the great age of the Guptas, which saw an unrivalled flowering of the arts in India.

Provenance

Private collection, USA.