A Vintage South Indian Golu Doll: Goddess Lakshmi

mid twentieth century
10 1/4" x 5" x 4", 26 cm x 12.5 cm x 10 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 carnation pink sari, standing upright on a lotus and holding two lotus blooms in her top two hands. To her left is an image of a small, white elephant: when Lakshmi is shown flanked by elephants she is referred to as Gajalakshmi and in this form the goddess is a symbol of prosperity.

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.