Vintage Brass Madurai Meenakshi

This vintage collectible is a statuette of goddess Madurai Meenakshi. This divine piece is so deftly crafted that you will admire its beauty at the first sight. The goddess is depicted in her traditional avatar, well adorned with a parrot seated on her right hand . Meenakshi is a Hindu goddess and tutelary of Madurai who is considered an avatar of Goddess Parvati. She is the divine consort of Sundareswarar, a form of Shiva. She finds mention in literatures as the princess or queen of the ancient Pandya kingdom who elevates to godhood. Meenakshi" is a Tamil-Sanskrit term meaning "fish-eyed", derived from the words mina ("fish") and akshi ("eyes"). According to another theory, the name of the goddess literally means "rule of the fish", derived from the Tamil words meen (fish) and aatchi (rule).

History of use of statues of gods in Indian religious culture: The history of statues in Indian religious culture spans over two millennia, showcasing diverse styles. The Mauryan era saw the emergence of stone-carved statues, marked by a certain austerity and simplicity. In subsequent centuries, during the Gupta period, sculptors honed their skills, producing lifelike, highly detailed statues. The Gupta style emphasized grace, idealized proportions, and exquisite facial expressions, exemplified by the iconic standing Buddha statues of Sarnath. As time progressed, regional variations emerged. In the South, the Chola dynasty excelled in bronze casting, creating dynamic, sensuous depictions of deities. In the North, the Rajput and Pala dynasties contributed distinctive styles, characterized by intricate ornamentation and unique iconographic features. The Mughal era brought about a synthesis of Persian and Indian artistic traditions, exemplified by the elegant marble reliefs and intricately carved jalis (latticed screens) in Mughal architecture.