On a lotus throne sits the Vishnupriya Devi Lakshmi. Her legs are gathered in lalitasana, the right anterior hand is raised in blessing.
Fresh lotus blooms in Her posterior hands and the abhaya mudra, the gesture of fearlessness, of the left anterior (She is Chaturbhujadharini, the one possessed of four arms).
A multi-tiered crown on Her head; wisdom and compassion and bliss pouring forth from Her beauteous face. The Devi Lakshmi figurine described herewith forms a small part of the composition.
She nestles in an overgrowth of vine, the kind that is found in abundance on the temple walls of the Hoysala period. The patronage of the Hoysala dynasty rulers gave birth to a distinctive style of architecture and iconography, of which this sculpture is a fine example. From the way the vine curves within itself to the perfect symmetry of the finish, this installation has a certain precinct-like quality to it.
Zoom in on each section of the vine to appreciate the precision with which the work has been executed. A pair of parrots are perched amidst the vines, flanking the throne of Lakshmi. Equally dense and intricately carved are the Devi’s adornments: a plethora of necklaces and kamarbands, amulets and wristlets plenty, and layered anklets. Karnakundalas (danglers) and a multi-tiered crown, which is sculpted with remarkable detail despite the scale of the work.
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