About This Piece
8″ Lakshmi with Arch | Handcrafted Brass | Fine Work (Copy)
This 8-inch handcrafted brass sculpture depicts Goddess Lakshmi seated in lalitasana within an ornate prabhavali arch, measuring 8 inches in height, 4.5 inches in width, and 2.5 inches in depth, and weighing approximately 1700 grams.
The figure is rendered with considerable attention to iconographic detail. Lakshmi sits on a tiered rectangular pedestal, her posture composed and upright, with four arms — two raised holding what appear to be deepa lamps or lotus buds, and two lower arms resting in characteristic gesture. Her expression is serene and frontal, framed by an elaborate crown and circular halo. The ornamentation across the torso, waist, and limbs — including layered necklaces, armlets, and a detailed waistband — has been worked by hand using traditional casting and chasing techniques. The prabhavali that surrounds her is richly detailed, with scrolling foliage along its border and a kirtimukha face at the crown, a motif common to South Indian temple iconography. The arch's structural pillars are carved with stepped detailing that mirrors the base platform beneath the figure, giving the overall form a strong architectural quality consistent with Agamic sculptural tradition.
Lakshmi is among the most widely venerated deities in the Hindu tradition, revered as the goddess of wealth, material and spiritual prosperity, and auspicious well-being. Her seated form with the prabhavali is particularly associated with temple worship and household shrines, where she is invoked during daily puja and on occasions such as Diwali and Varalakshmi Vratam.
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, has been the dominant material for Indian devotional sculpture for centuries. Its density gives cast forms substantial weight and structural integrity, while its warm golden tone responds well to hand polishing and resists corrosion over long periods of use.
This piece carries a polished finish that brings out the warm golden tone of the brass across both the figure and the arch. As with all handcrafted work, natural variation in surface texture, tone, and fine detailing will occur between individual pieces.
Suited for a dedicated puja room, a home altar, or as a considered gift for a housewarming or religious occasion, this sculpture is also appropriate for collectors focused on traditional Indian brass work.