A Vintage South Indian Golu Doll: Seated Goddess Lakshmi

mid twentieth century
8 1/2" x 4" x 4", 21.5 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm

This beautifully rendered and painted molded figure from South India is called  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 seated cross-legged upon a bright pink lotus, a crown gracing her head and holding various auspicious attributes in her four carefully placed hands.

She is robed in a chocolate brown sari with a vermilion choli underneath it. 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 of the beloved goddess Lakshmi shows a some wear, patina and slight surface damage.

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