9th-11th century AD. A substantial sandstone carved statue of Lakshmi wearing a sampot with flounced hem and sash tied at the hips; the four arms raised holding fruit, a shell(?) and other items; standing barefoot on a rectangular base; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Dupont, P., La Statuaire Pré-Angkorienne, Ascona, 1955, for discussion.100.2 kg total, 1.62m including stand (63 3/4"). Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman since 1990; previously in a private collection formed in the 1980s; accompanied by a scholarly note TL 5281 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.163484-10085. The goddess Lakshmi appeared fully-formed from the ocean, rather like Greek Aphrodite. The holy texts (Vedas) mention Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu, who incarnates and becomes queen to each of Vishnu's incarnations as a mortal king Rama or Krishna. Lakshmi is associated with beauty and good fortune. [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]