Bronze,South-India, 17th centuryDimensions: Height 20 cm / Wide 16 cm / Depth 8 cmWeight: 1008 gramsA little shrine consisting of a rectangular platform on four feet. The platform is decorated with engraved flowers, stars and other symbols in squares. In the center of the front is a small Garuda, standing in a lunge pose, his hands joined in the center. The background is constructed with a gate with pillars on the side, made of a patterned band and flaming rim. On the outer corner of the left pillar we see a conch shell, shanka, while on the right corner there is a chakra wheel, both Vishnu's attributes. Three deities are standing on the platform, the center one probably being Lakshmi. All of them have a slight s-curve, are dressed in dhotis wearing bracelets, armlets and anklets. They all wear high headdresses and are holding phallic-shaped lotus buds in front of their chests representing Vishnu. Above Lakshmi's head we see a five-headed Naga serpent. The whole piece is surmounted by a kirtimukha in the center of the framing gate, a fierce beast found in Hindu temples. Vishnu is not directly depicted in this shrine, but finds representation in the phallic-shaped lotus buds as well as his attributes.