Vintage Saraswati Chromolithograph | Goddess Saraswati | Veena & Peacock

This vintage chromolithograph depicts Goddess Saraswati seated beside a river, resting on a stone in a serene natural setting. She holds a palm-leaf manuscript and an akshamala (rosary), while a veena rests across her lap. A peacock stands nearby, completing the traditional iconography associated with Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, music and the arts.

The composition presents Saraswati in a calm, contemplative setting, bringing together several attributes traditionally associated with the goddess. The manuscript represents knowledge and learning, the veena her association with music and the arts, and the rosary her connection with contemplation and spiritual practice. The peacock is another familiar element in representations of Saraswati.

As a vintage chromolithograph, the artwork reflects the period when colour printing made devotional imagery increasingly accessible beyond temples and traditional painted forms. These prints became part of homes, personal shrines and devotional spaces across India, making them an important part of the history of Indian popular and religious art.

The artwork remains housed in its original vintage wooden frame, which forms an integral part of its character and history. At The Blue Trunk, we take a conservation-led approach to vintage chromolithographs, retaining original frames wherever possible while making discreet interventions where required for safe display and preservation.

For this piece, the frame is evaluated for stability and condition. Where necessary, original glass is replaced with acrylic to reduce the risk of breakage, particularly during shipping. Corroded metal backboards may also be replaced with high-density fibreboard to protect the print and provide a more stable backing. These interventions are intended to preserve the character of the original artwork while extending its usable life.

Details

Subject: Goddess Saraswati
Iconography: Saraswati with veena, palm-leaf manuscript, akshamala and peacock
Tradition: Indian devotional art
Technique: Chromolithograph
Period: Vintage, early 20th century
Dimensions: 15 × 11 in
Frame: Original vintage wooden frame
Conservation: Frame evaluated; glass may be replaced with acrylic and corroded metal backing with new hardboard where required
Condition: Vintage condition with natural signs of age
Authenticity: Comes with an authenticity certificate from The Blue Trunk.