Wood. Southern India, 19th cent.
Folk temple relief with a scene called Gaja Lakshmi, in which the goddess enjoys being sprinkled by life-giving water by two elephants. Lakshmi is the spouse of high god Vishnu and a goddess of abundance and fortune. She wears lavish jewelry and a tall royal crown Kirita Mukuta; her fertile breasts overflowing and bare feet standing on a lotus. Both elephants - royal animals – are smaller than her and stand laterally straight on their hind legs watering Lakshmi. The entire depiction is especially in South India a beloved motif, meaning blessings and fertility. Behind the goddess is a big arched gate with flaming border, as well as a lion mask kirttimukha. Age characteristics and flawed areas, mounted on a tiered hardwood base.
HEIGHT 43 CM
From a German collection