18" Wooden Lord Shiva Head

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Supremely refined woodwork, every part of this wooden Shiva head has received ample attention from the carver, resulting in a one-of-its-kind representation of Adinatha Shiva. The thick tresses of Shiva are tastefully transformed into a stunning Jatamukuta (crown made from matted hair) which is adorned with a splendid floral crown. The trimming of Shiva’s floral crown falls on his shoulders in bunches, adding remarkable grandeur to the statue. The unbelievably detailed work on the matted hair of Shiva can be better admired on the reverse of this wooden Shiva head, which shows numerous symmetrical tiny incised lines all over the skull, coiled hair flowing down Mahadeva’s back, and two serpents tied together to form a distinctive hair band for Nagaeshwara (the Lord of Serpents). In his right ear, Shiva has a Makara-kundala- earring in the shape of the Makara (a mythical creature, symbolic of royalty and opulence), which is more commonly associated with Sri Vishnu and Krishna as a marker of their splendor, while in the left ear, Shiva has a round earring with a small serpent wrapped around it. This ornament known as “Sarpa-Kundala” is strictly reserved for Shiva and in some cases, goddess Kali. An intricately carved necklace sits close to the neck of Neelakantha (one with Neela or blue Kantha or neck), followed by a Rudraksha bead mala and a large snake, with its hood beautifully raised.

The most appealing aspect of this teakwood Shiva head is the countenance of Mahadeva, where the skill of the woodworker appears to have reached its peak. An otherworldy luster and self-assured incised lines have conjured the indescribable aura of Shiva in this statue. The powerful tripunda marking the spot of Shiva’s third-eye, perfectly arched eyebrows, contemplative eyes shaped like the petals of a lotus flower, a suave nose, and lips that carry a spellbinding inward smile come together lyrically in this superb artwork. With finesse that defeats the solidity of wood, the transcendental yogic state of Adiyogi (primordial yogi) Shiva is recreated by the artist. One only needs to gaze once into the cavernously carved eyes of Shiva from where Mahadeva will lead his seeker to the depths of his soul, a journey which ends with the ultimate union with Shiva and realization of “Shivohama”- I am Shiva.

Sculpting Serenity: Unveiling the Art of Crafting Wood Statues

Wood has been a preferred material for sculptures and statues since ancient times. It is easy to work with than most metals and stones and therefore requires less effort to shape it into any desired shape or form. The texture of the wood gives an element of realism to the sculpture. The selection of an appropriate wood type is necessary for carving. Woods that are too resinous or coniferous are not considered good for carving as their fiber is very soft and thus lacks strength. On the other hand, wood such as Mahogany, Oakwood, Walnut wood, Weet cherry wood, etc., are preferred by sculptors because their fiber is harder. A wood sculptor uses various tools such as a pointed chisel in one hand and a mallet in another to bring the wood to the desired measurement and to make intricate details on it. A carving knife is used to cut and smooth the wood. Other tools such as the gouge, V-tool, and coping saw also serve as important tools in wood carving. Although the wood carving technique is not as complex and tough as stone carving or metal sculpting, nonetheless, a wood carver requires a high level of skills and expertise to create a stunning sculpture.

1. Selecting the right wood

The process of wood carving begins with selecting a chunk of wood that is required according to the type and shape of the statue to be created by the sculptor. Both hardwoods and softwoods are used for making artistic pieces, however, hardwoods are preferred more than softer woods because of their durability and longevity. But if heavy detailing is to be done on the statue, wood with fine grain would be needed as it would be difficult to work with hardwood.

2. Shaping the wood

Once the wood type is selected, the wood carver begins the general shaping process using gouges of various sizes. A gouge is a tool having a curved cutting edge which is useful in removing large unwanted portions of wood easily without splitting the wood. The sculptor always carves the wood across the grain of the wood and not against it.

3. Adding detailing

When a refined shape of the statue is obtained, it is time for making details on the statue using different tools. This is achieved by using tools such as a veiner to make and a V-tool to create decorative and sharp cuts.

4. Surface finishing

Once finer details have been added, the sculptor is ready to smoothen the surface and give it a perfect finish. Tools such as rasps and rifflers are used to get a smooth surface. The finer polishing is obtained by rubbing the surface with sandpaper. If a textured surface is required, this step is skipped. Finally, to protect the statue from excessive dirt accumulation, the sculptor applies natural oils such as walnut or linseed oil all over it. This also brings a natural sheen to the statue.