About This Piece
12″ Sitting Lakshmi (Chola Style) | Handcrafted Brass | Brown Finish
This 12-inch handcrafted brass sculpture depicts Goddess Lakshmi in the Chola style, seated in a composed posture on a tiered lotus base, with four arms extending outward in gestures of blessing and offering. The piece measures 12 inches in height, 7 inches in width, and 5 inches in depth, and weighs approximately 4 kilograms.
The form follows the iconographic canon of South Indian temple sculpture, a tradition refined over centuries and expressed most distinctly in the Chola period. The figure is shown wearing an elaborate crown stacked in the characteristic South Indian kirita makuta style, with fine surface detailing carried across the jewelry, armlets, waistband, and draped garment. Two of the four hands hold what appear to be lotus blooms, while the remaining two rest in mudras associated with protection and the granting of boons. The facial features are calm and symmetrical, with the sculptor's attention evident in the articulation of the eyes, the slight curve of the expression, and the layering of ornamental detail across the chest and shoulders. The lotus throne and its decorative base add structural weight and iconographic completeness to the composition.
Lakshmi is one of the principal deities in the Hindu tradition, associated with material and spiritual prosperity, righteous wealth, and auspiciousness. Her seated form, particularly in the South Indian iconographic tradition, represents stability and the grace of abundance held in balance.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc that has been used in Indian devotional objects for centuries. It holds fine detail well during casting, develops a warm tone over time, and is known for its durability under regular use and worship conditions.
This piece carries an antique brown finish, visible in the image as a deep, even patina that draws out the surface relief and lends the sculpture an aged, temple-like quality. As with all handcrafted work, minor variation in tone and texture between pieces is inherent to the process.
This sculpture suits a dedicated puja room, a home altar, an office entrance, or as a considered gift for housewarmings, festivals, or significant personal occasions.