A Vintage South Indian Golu or Kolu: The Goddess Lakshmi

mid twentieth century
10 1/2" x 6 1/4" x 4 1/4", 26.5 cm x 16 cm x 10.75 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 seated cross-legged upon a lotus, a flower garland draped over her shoulders, a crown gracing her head and holding two lotuses in two of her four hands. 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--and in this case the head of the goddess was broken off and glued back on, as can be seen on a close-up photo here.

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