19th C. Indian Wood Relief Saraswati Music Goddess

Central Asia, India, ca. 19th century CE. A devotional hand-carved wooden relief panel of Saraswati, goddess of music. Saraswati stands on an ornate ledge with one foot resting on a lotus flower and a veena lute balanced on her knee; clothing flows to her sides as if she is dancing. Jewelry adorns her ankles, arms, neck, ears, and a crown sits on top of the rounded face. She has large eyes, a prominent nose, and the painted surface of her skin and clothing has traces of white pigment, symbolic of Saraswati's purity. Other floral motifs appear around her, and the lotus is an attribute she sits or stands upon in many representations, including this piece, to indicate her knowledge. Above her head is a shikhara spire, part of Hindu temple architecture. The orange and red pigments add vibrancy to this joyful portrayal of the dancing goddess and a modern ring is set on the backside for display purposes. Size: 6.25" W x 24.5" H (15.9 cm x 62.2 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-California, USA collection

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#146460
Condition Report: Old inventory label on back. Stable cracks and minor losses. Surface weathering, abrasions, and chipping commensurate with age. Modern hardware ring for mounting. Vibrant pigments and details.