Andal

This is a reverse glass painting from southern India.

Andal, the Alvar saint, stands in samabhanga on a lotus flower. In the background, the two pillars terminate in angel-shaped capitals. The arch, originating from the mouth of two decoratively rendered makaras, culminates in a kiritmukha, from which hangs a garland of white flowers. The goddess is richly dressed and bejewelled. She carries an open lotus in her right hand, on which a parrot is perched. A floral garland rests on her shoulders. Alvars were Tamil poet-saints who espoused bhakti (devotion) to Vishnu. The twelve saints, of which Andal is the only female, are venerated in Vaishnavism.