Whenever I see or get a bronze, the inevitable questions are who/what, when and where from. Some Vigrahas defy answers as they do not conform to the documented conventions and set their own path. This is one such example.

The facial features suggest it is from Kerala. The lotus on his upper right hand and the drum on his upper left suggest it is Harihara, a syncretic form of Vishnu and Shiva.

That opens a flood of questions. The conventions for depicting Harihara are Shiva is normally on the right side, with Jatamakuta, with Sarpa Kundal or Patra Kundal for earrings. Vishnu should be holding the more popular attributes Shankha or Chakra and should have Makara Kundal as his earring. The lotus pedestal is also a non-standard feature.

What is also unusual is the lower hands position, resting on his knees. This is Danda Hasta, whereas the hand is held across the body is Gaja Hasta. An example of Narasimha in

Danda Hasta is on our right. Then it is Yoga Narasimha sitting in Utkuṭikāsana. Examples of Ayyappa in similar pose exist.

There are deities with one of the hands in Danda Hasta, Rama in preaching mode is one such example.

Harihara bronzes are rarer and seated Harihara is even rarer. The book, referred below, has about seven examples of Harihara sculptures from Kerala and all are standing figures. This website has one eample of standing Harihara.

This Vigraha is about 12 cm in height, and this may not date earlier than the eighteenth century.

Reference: Vaishnava Sculptures of Kerala, India – An Iconographic Study by Preeta Nayar.