In Indian Hinduism, Saraswati is the spouse of the creator god Brahma. On her own, Saraswati is the goddess of learning, wisdom, and the the fine arts -- on account of which she is often depicted with the musical instrument ‘veena’.
In the depiction offered here, however, foregrounded are the aspects of wisdom and learning. For this reason the attribute she holds in her left hand is ‘the book of wisdom’ -- containing the Sanskrit texts of the old Indian Vedas. The very finely sculpted figure of the goddess Saraswati is of yellow cast-alloy (brass with strong copper content), executed with ‘waste mould’ casting. The female form is presented in a lovely, double-curved pose ('Dvibhanga’). As happens especially often in South Indian bronzes, her right arm falls down in a graceful hand position (‘Lola-Hasta’). Her left hand is lifted to the breast in the gesture of instruction (Cin-Mudra). With this ‘instructing’ hand the goddess holds the ‘book of wisdom’.
In this depiction Saraswati is wearing finely done hair with a high bun, a skirt with an engraved floral patten and a lot of jewelry: ear pendants reaching down to the shoulders, a necklace with two small red corals and a small blue turquoise stone, pairs of bracelets for the upper arms and ankles each with a coral, a pair of armlets and a beautiful belt set on which a coral adorns the buckle on the front.
The entire figure stands on an oval double lotus plinth (cast as a single piece). Overall very good, detailed workmanship. No appreciable damage. Height: 26 cm. 18th/19th century or earlier.