A Vintage South Indian Golu or Kolu: Goddess Lakshmi in Red Sari

mid twentieth century
12" x 5" x 3 1/4", 30.5 cm x 12.5 cm x 8.25 cm

This good-sized, beautifully rendered and painted molded figure is what is called in South India a golu or kolu.

These figures--and there were many gods and goddesses depicted in the form of golu--were set out in traditional home displays in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh during the nine night Hindu festival called  Navratri.

This golu depicts the goddess Lakshmi who is shown draped in a gold-flecked red sari, standing upright, holding two lotus blooms and offering a ritual, auspicious gesture with her right hand called the abhayamudra.

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, abundance and well-being and is the consort of Lord Vishnu, one of Hinduism's three central aspects of god.

As can be easily seen on the accompanying detail photographs, this golu shows a good deal of wear, patina and surface damage which add to its charm.

A beautifully, soulful and collectible image of the goddess Lakshmi with a good deal of age.