Unusual Indian Bronze Lakshmi Mounted on a Bull

This unusual South Indian bronze shows the goddess Lakshmi (also known as Sri Devi in other guises), with four arms, seated cross-legged seated in sattvasana on a lotus petal cushion which is mounted on a tall stem which rises from the back of bull.

Lakshmi’s front arms are held in abhaya and varada mudra, and her upper arms both hold attributed – a closed lotus bud in on and perhaps a tusk in the other. A kuchabandha band runs across her prominent breasts, multiple necklaces adorn her neck and large, flowing earrings decorate her ears. A tall, engraved cylindrical headdress surmounted by a lotus bud finial rises from her head.

The bull is festooned with decorative caparisons and stands on a raised, rectangular platform. Its tail is long and cast in a raised ‘S’ shape to help support the column on which Lakshmi is seated.

The bull and Lakshmi have been cast separately. The image of Lakshmi can be removed and slots onto the top of the column.

The figure of Lakshmi has some puja or ritual prayer wear to the head and upper body. The bull has less wear, as might be expected.