Wood, lacquer and gilding. Burma/ Myanmar, 20th cent.


Sarasvati is an old Vedic goddess by the name of Vac, who was later adopted by Hinduism and Buddhism. First a patron of purity and fertility, then of wisdom and speech (her name literally “flow of waters”* is a reference to this) before also being identified with musicality and thenceforth often depicted bearing an instrument (a vina). Despite the prevalence of Theravada Buddhism in Burma, this Mahayana goddess often appears in the country’s culture. The depiction at hand shows her riding on a rich thayo-relief décor embellished Hintha (Hamsa in Skr.), a mythical goose that is her vahana and bears pompous plumage. Sarasvati sits in a lady-like manner (undoubtedly inspired by British influence) and holds a book attribute in a footed vessel similar to vessels utilized for offerings. She wears courtly attire of the Mandalay period and headwear. The depiction is entirely gilt.

HEIGHT 26,2 CM
From a Viennese collection



* This description, originally for Sarasvati as a river goddess, later evolved to a metaphor for the flow of speech. She has many other names and is, or was, the consort of Brahma and Vishnu.