A FINE BRONZE FIGURE OF LAKSHMI, INDIA, NAYAKA PERIOD, CIRCA 17TH-18TH CENTURY

A FINE BRONZE FIGURE OF LAKSHMI, INDIA, NAYAKA PERIOD, CIRCA 17TH-18TH CENTURY

Finely cast, the four-armed goddess standing erect upon a circular lotus pedestal raised on a high stepped square base, the principal right hand lowered in varadamudra and the principal left held before the body in a gesture of abhayamudra. The upper hands hold her attributes, including a rosary and lotus. She is clad in a long, closely fitted dhoti secured by an elaborate girdle and falling in finely delineated folds, the body richly adorned with necklaces, armlets, bracelets, anklets, and beaded jewelry.

The serene face is modeled with almond-shaped eyes beneath gently arched brows, a straight nose, and full lips forming a subtle smile, flanked by elongated earlobes suspending elaborate earrings. Her hair is gathered into a tall tiered jatamukuta, the reverse with shirashchakra.

Provenance: French trade. Acquired from a local estate in Bordeaux, France.

Condition: Excellent condition with expected old wear and casting irregularities. Only small dings to the tiered pedestal. The bronze displays a rich, naturally grown dark brown patina with scattered areas of malachite encrustation.

Weight: 2,990 g
Dimensions: Height 31.5 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams London, 25 October 2022, lot 90
Price: GBP 5,355 or approx.

EUR 7,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Vishnu, South India, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and similar high pedestal. Note the size (38 cm).

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