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15" Devi Parvati Panchaloha Bronze Idol from Swamimalai | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax)

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$1020

Panchaloha bronzes of Uma-Parvati from the temple town of Swamimalai in Tamil Nadu, are one of the finest examples of South Indian iconography to date. With devout attention to the dhyana-mantra (mantra for remembering the divine), Shloka (hymns), and Puranic and literary lores, the artist sculpts the most enchanting icons of Uma as Shivakamasundari- the beautiful lady (Sundari) who instills passion (Kama) in Shiva.

Observing and marveling at a Panchaloha bronze Uma statue like the one we have here, is a complete lesson on the ancient iconographic treatise and their rules on molding the perfect feminine form. Being a part of Shiva shrines, a Uma bronze is a pious and deific presence, which is always sculpted with a fitting platform of inverted lotus.

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Item Code:	MIT469
Specifications:	Bronze
Height:	15 inch
Width:	5 inch
Depth:	5 inch
Weight:	3.50 kg

Handmade

Free delivery

Fully insured

100% Made in India

Fair trade

Here you see a lotus pedestal placed on a secondary square base which adds to the overall stature of the beauteous Uma Shivakamasundari. On the stately platform, Uma stands in a graceful Tribhanga, or triple-bent posture that accentuates her youthful allure. A towering Kiritamukuta (conical crown) sits on her head, Makara (a mythical animal that symbolizes divine beauty) shaped earrings adorn her ears, two strings of necklaces cling close to her neck, fine Skandha-aabhushana (shoulder ornaments) highlight her shapely limbs, Mayura (peacock) feather shaped Keyura (armband) is tied around her arm, a Yajnopavita (sacred thread) meanders across her tastefully appealing torso, and an ornate Mekhla (girdle) clasps her lithesome waist.

According to Indian iconographical traditions, the eyebrows should be like two leaves and a bud, her nose should be sharp as a parrot’s beak, her eyes should be shaped like fishes, lips should resemble the softness of pink flowers, and her thighs should be formed like the stalk of a banana tree, and her hips should mirror the grace of an elephant’s trunk.

With a closer look at the limbs, posture, and appearance of this bronze Uma icon, we can begin to see these principles being followed by the Sthapati, to reach an enthralling artwork worthy of being praised. The delicate lips of Uma carry a warming inward smile, which she offers to her beloved Shiva, along with a blue lily which she carries in her right hand, raised in the Kataka-hasta mudra.

Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals

Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.

" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "

A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.

Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.

Sculpting Dreams in Metal: The Enigmatic Alchemy of Panchaloha Bronze Masterpieces

Bronze statues and sculptures are known for their exquisite beauty and the divinity that they emit all around the space. Bronze is considered an excellent metal alloy, composed primarily of copper and tin. Many properties make it suitable for sculpting even the most intricate and complex structures. There was a period in history, known as the “Bronze Age'', in which most sculptors preferred to work with Bronze as it was considered the hardest metal. Bronze is especially appreciated for its durability, ductility, and corrosion-resistance properties. India is especially known for its elegant workmanship of skills working with Bronze. The artisans of a town named Swamimalai in South India have been following a tradition of bronze murti making for ages. They use a special material known as Panchaloha bronze to make fascinating icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. All of us are allured by the beauty of bronze statues and sculptures but there goes a tough hand in casting those masterpieces with little or no imperfections. Since it is an extremely elaborate process, a sculptor needs to be highly skilled in making bronze antiques. The most common technique for casting bronze sculptures that has been followed since ancient times is the “Lost-wax” process which involves many steps:

1. Clay model making

The making of a bronze statue or sculpture starts with preparing a full-sized clay (usually Plasticine) model of the sculpture. This allows the artist to have an idea about the overall shape and form of the desired sculpture before working with bronze, a much more expensive and difficult-to-work-with material.

2. Mould making

Once the clay model is ready, a mould of the original sculpture is made. This is done by carefully covering the clay model with plaster strips. This step is carried out in such a way that no air bubbles are formed. It takes up to 24 hours for the plaster to dry. Once dried, the plaster is then gently removed from the clay model. The removal happens easily because the inner mould is usually made of materials such as polyurethane rubber or silicone.

3. Wax filling and removal

In this step, molten bronze or wax is poured or filled into the mould in such a way that it gets even into the finest details. The mould is then turned upside down and left to cool and harden. When the wax has hardened, it is removed from the mould.

4. Chasing

Chasing is the process in which the artist refines the surface of the bronze statue using various tools to achieve fine details. This smoothens the surface and gives the statue a finished look. If some parts of the statue were moulded separately, they are now heated and attached.

5. Applying a patina

Bronze sculptures are known for their unique look or sheen on the surface. This may take several years to achieve naturally. Applying patina to bronze sculptures is an important step to make them appear attractive. Working with clay, plaster mould, and molten wax can be messy and therefore sculptors wear old clothes and remain careful. The entire process of making a bronze statue takes several months to complete. Bronze sculptures last for many centuries because of the high durability of the material. Many centuries down the line, these sculptures continue to be appreciated for their majestic beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is the statue hollow or solid ?

A. Panchaloha bronze statues are made through a process of lost wax casting, hence they are solid. To know more about how bronze statues are made, please read our article on Panchaloha Bronze Statues. Whereas, brass statues are made through a process of clay casting, hence are hollow.
Q. Can I see the original photo of the product ?

A. For original pictures of the statue, kindly email us at [email protected].
Q. Can I return the statue ?

A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy.
Q. Can you customise the statue for me ?

A. For any customisation, a new bronze statue has to be made. To know more, kindly email us at [email protected].