Hoysala is the term used for the architecture and the iconography that developed in present-day Karnataka under the patronage of the Hoysala dynasty rulers.
Having flourished in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, its structures stand as testimony to a Karnata Dravida aesthetic.
The murti that you see on this page depicts the Devi Mariamman, who is the equivalent of Devi Parvati or Devi Shitala of the North.
From Her iconography to every other detail of the sculpture, She looks like She has been handpicked from the garbhagriha (inner precinct) of an ancient Hoysala temple.
Devi Mariamman is seated in lalitasana on a giant lotus throne. She is possessed of eight arms and, as such, is the Ashtabhujadharini. She is clad in nothing but a dhoti below the navel, the silken fabric of which gathers in lifelike folds over Her legs.
A world of gold adornments on Her upper body and divine weapons, including a kapala (skullcup) in each of Her hands, a twin symbol of the feminine aesthetic and omnipotence. On Her brow sits a tall crown that tapers towards the top. It is flanked by the ferocious hood of the panchanaga, the texture of its underbelly having been executed with superb detail.
The composition is placed on a wide-set quadrilateral pedestal that features a row of latticeworked lotus petals followed by a row of lotus petal engravings. The legs of the pedestal are short and shaped like the lion’s paw. A strikingly symmetrical aureole, with minimal engravings, completes the composition.
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.
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