Panchaloha Shrine Group with Venkateshwara, Lakshmi, and Padmavathi
Panchaloha shrine group with Venkateshwara, Lakshmi, and Padmavathi
Front view of gold-washed devotional ensemble depicting Venkateshwara with Lakshmi and Padmavathi beneath ornamental arch.
Name/Title
Panchaloha Shrine Group with Venkateshwara, Lakshmi, and PadmavathiEntry/Object ID
186Description
Summary Panchaloha domestic devotional ensemble depicting Lord Venkateshwara with Lakshmi and Padmavathi beneath an ornamental arch, purchased in Bangalore in 1995 from Manjunath Enterprises, Jayanagar 4th Block. The object was acquired by the owner as a gift for Vijaya Kumari Ramakrishna. Around 2007, Vijaya Kumari Ramakrishna commissioned a gold wash treatment before transferring the ensemble to the owner. The shrine group remains in excellent condition and is currently displayed in the curio cabinet at Bangalore House. ⸻ Detailed The ensemble consists of three separately removable devotional figures mounted within a cast architectural shrine framework beneath an ornamental prabhavali arch. Lord Venkateshwara occupies the central position and is represented standing frontally with characteristic crown and halo-disc arrangement. Lakshmi and Padmavathi stand symmetrically to either side upon individual pedestal bases. The figures slot individually into recessed sockets within the rectangular platform base. The ornamental arch is separately fitted and removable from the base assembly, indicating modular construction and more complex production than smaller integrated devotional ensembles. The surface is heavily ornamented with repetitive decorative textures representing jewelry, drapery folds, floral motifs, and architectural detailing. The ensemble appears to have been cast in panchaloha alloy and subsequently gold washed circa 2007 at the direction of Vijaya Kumari Ramakrishna. The gold-toned surface remains bright and reflective with minimal visible wear. The reverse surfaces are less refined and display casting texture, finishing irregularities, and utilitarian structural treatment consistent with devotional objects intended primarily for frontal domestic display. The object was purchased by the owner in Bangalore in 1995 as a gift for Vijaya Kumari Ramakrishna. Following the later gold washing treatment, the ensemble was transferred to the owner circa 2007 and now forms part of the curio cabinet collection at Bangalore House.Type of Sculpture
Free StandingArtwork Details
Medium
Panchaloha (five metals)Category
Permanent Collection