Artwork preview

Gaja Lakshmi, Goddess of Fortune

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The sculpture depicts a woman with a serene facial expression, adorned with a crown and earrings. Her hair falls down to her shoulders. She sits cross-legged on a lotus flower base, holding a bowl in her left hand and an object in her right. A beaded necklace encircles her neck. The figure sits within an archway supported by two pillars, with two elephants positioned at the top of the arch, one on each side. The elephants' trunks are raised and appear to be pouring water over the woman. Small animal-like figures are carved at the base of the sculpture. The sculpture appears to be made of stone or metal and exhibits a weathered appearance.

Artwork details

Date:
8th century
Medium:
Stone
Culture:
India (Kashmir)
Dimensions:
468 × 624 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette