Vishnu Black Stone Eastern India, Pala Period

Vishnu standing in samapada on a lotus base flanked by his consorts Lakshmi and Saraswati on his right and left, holding a chamara and vina respectively. The arms of the deity with its identifying attributes are now missing, but the staff of the mace that would have been held in Vishnu's upper right hand remains, thereby enabling the identification of the deity. The sides of the stele depict animals, scrolling foliage and garland-bearing celestials, with a kirttimukha on the arched top.