Lakshmi. Cambodia, 10th century.

Lakshmi. Cambodia, 10th century.
Patinated bronze.
Green patina.
With wear typical of age.
Measurements: 35 x 11 x 11 cm (figure); 10 x 9,5 x 5,5 cm (base).

Bronze effigy representing Lakshmi standing, looking forward and performing the abhaya mudra (hand gesture that calms, dispels fear and gives protection) and the varada mudra (gesture that symbolizes blessing and abundance for her devotees. Her entire figure is adorned with exquisite jewels and brocades on her sumptuous garments, which are symbolically associated with beauty, grace and prosperity. Her facial features, with long-lobed ears (symbol of wisdom) are framed by a headdress with a bun that symbolizes spirituality by evoking the shape of a temple.

Lakshmi is one of the main goddesses of Hinduism. She is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, fertility and prosperity and is associated with Maya. Together with Parvati and Saraswati, she forms the Tridevi of Hindu goddesses. Lakshmi is both the consort and divine energy(shakti) of the Hindu god Vishnu, the Supreme Being of Vaishnavism; She is also the Supreme Goddess in the sect and helps Vishnu to create, protect and transform the universe. Whenever Vishnu descended to Earth as an avatar, Lakshmi accompanied him as a consort, for example, as Sita and Radha or Rukmini as consorts of the avatars of Vishnu, Rama and Krishna, respectively.Trà Kieu was the first capital of the Hindu kingdom of Champa, then called Simhapura, between the 4th and 8th centuries AD. Nothing remains of the ancient city today, except for the rectangular walls. Although the Cham monuments of Trà Kieu, in Quang Nam province, have been destroyed, several magnificent pieces of sculpture associated with the site are still preserved in museums.