
by Unknown Artist, 601
This 7th-8th century chlorite sculpture depicts Gajalakshmi (Elephant Lakshmi), the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and abundance being bathed (lustrated) by elephants. The elephants grasp upside-down vessels of sacred water, pouring it over the goddess. In Indian thought, elephants are harbingers of rain, linking them to fertility and abundance. The flow of water symbolizes the prosperity Lakshmi bestows.
Gajalakshmi imagery first appeared in Indian art around the 1st century BCE at the Buddhist site of Bharhut and was adopted across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain contexts. The goddess is enthroned on a lion, combining symbols of royal power with abundance. The piece measures about 10 by 6 inches in chlorite. It's at the Art Institute of Chicago, a gift from Marilynn B. Alsdorf.
Luxury wall art with the same mood and energy. Gallery-quality canvas, no museum crowds.
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