Antique Lakshmi copper statue. India. From 17th-19th Century.

Antique Lakshmi copper statue. India. From 17th-19th Century.

Lakshmi is an important goddess in Hinduism, particularly known as the goddess of wealth, luck, prosperity, and beauty. She is often associated with good fortune, abundance, and spiritual harmony. She is married to the god Vishnu.

She is depicted with four arms, which symbolize divine omnipotence. The two upper hands hold closed lotus flowers or ritual attributes, while the two front hands are in a blessing mudra-gesture.

She sits in a meditative yoga position (padmasana or asana) on a raised base. She wears a traditional conical crown (karanda mukuta) on her head.

Provenance: originates from the collection of a Danish nurse who, from approximately 1947-60, was part of the UN's vaccination program in Asia and Africa. In this context, she acquired this statue.

The wear on the face of this type of ancient bronze figurine almost always comes from ritual polishing. In Hindu tradition, this type of wear is called a 'pujapatina'. During daily prayers and rituals (puja), as the face is the most prominent and sacred point, centuries of repeated touching and drying wear away the sharp details, leaving the metal soft, smooth, and rounded, which is now considered an important sign of authenticity among collectors.

The material is a copper metal alloy.

Measurements: approx. 6,8x4x3 cm. Condition: see pictures.