Lakshmi Statue – Hindu Figure with Filigree

Lakshmi on a lotus pedestal. The statue is worked in filigree, gilded and silver-plated, set with colored stones. Lakshmi is a central goddess of Hinduism, worshipped for prosperity, abundance, and beauty. She is also venerated in Himalayan Buddhism.

Lakshmi sits in lalit asana, the relaxed seated pose, her left leg bent and her right leg extended forward, the right foot resting on a turtle. She is four-armed. In her upper hands she holds a container for red powder, sindur dani, a reference to beauty and ritual practice, and a mirror, symbolizing self-knowledge and reflection. Her lower hands display the gesture of granting, varada mudra, and the gesture of protection, abhaya mudra, emphasizing giving and protection as central themes of the depiction. Lakshmi wears the crown and full ornaments of a goddess.

Robe and pedestal are worked in filigree. Thin wire is bent into small arched elements and joined in an ornamental pattern. Colored stones are set within the filigree as floral accents. The statue is worked all around and suitable for freestanding presentation.

The statue follows iconographic conventions of Vajrayana art in the Kathmandu Valley, in which posture, gesture, and ornament are brought together in a balanced composition.

Lakshmi

Statue in copper, traditional lost-wax cast, decorated with filigree, gold- and silver-plated, accentuated with colored stones. The figure is patinated. The face is set in gold. Handcrafted in Nepal.

• Height: 6.5" / 17 cm 
• Width: 5" / 13 cm 
• Depth:  3.5" / 9 cm 
• Weight: 810 g 

NOTE
The face painting is a cold gold application and is water-soluble.