Deepalakshmis Stand In Welcome, Infectious Calm On Their Faces

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India has a one-of-a-kind bronze tradition. It began in the recesses of Southern India upon the time of the Pallava dynasty rulers, who were generous with their commissions for local artisans. Temple bronzes had been a thing of Southern life till that point in time, but it was with Chola patronage that the medium gained prominence. South India has been the home of bronze since then - to this day the region produces the most exquisite bronzes, temple and otherwise. The technique is ancient and painstakingly time- and labour-intensive, but it results in pieces of visual art as beauteous as the one you see on this page. It is a couple of youthful Indian beauties called deepalaskhmis ('deepa' is the word for the flame of homemade Indian lamps).

The deepalaskhmi figure is supposed to be placed at the entrance to one's home or office. These gorgeous ladies bear a welcoming stance. The thalis in their hands are designed to hold a number of ghee lamps to be lit shortly before the arrival of visitors. They are dressed in traditional Indian silks and wear a world of shringar. Their hips are jutting out, their faces bearing an infectious calm. A parrot is perched on the gracious shoulder of each of the deepalakshmis, which is considered a symbol of romance in Indian culture. Note the traditional Indian hats that rest at an angle on the lovely heads of the ladies, and the multi-lateral lotus pedestals they are propped up on.