A neglected Aspect of the Iconography of Viṣṇu and other Gods and Goddesses

Claudine Bautze-Picron (1)

1 Mondes Iranien et Indien - UMR 7528

This paper considers aspects of the jewellery worn by the god Viṣṇu,more particularly his tiara, necklace, armlets and girdle, ornaments which are integrate images of real and fantastic animals. Although this is part of the development of the god's iconography from the 4th c. onward, previous examples are known from Mathura in the 2nd and 3rd c. in a Buddhist context. The paper shows how such 'secondary' elements, not considered up to now in the study of the image of the god, contribute to underline his link to kingship.

Mots clés: Iconography; Viṣṇu; royal symbolism

Domaines: Art et histoire de l'art

Claudine Bautze-Picron. A neglected Aspect of the Iconography of Viṣṇu and other Gods and Goddesses. Journal of the Indian Society of Oriental Art, 2013, XXVIII-XXIX, pp.81-92. ⟨hal-00753613v2⟩