The Hindu Puranas, the pious ancient texts narrate the episode of Sri Lakshmi’s emergence from the depths of Kshirasagara (the celestial ocean of milk) during the Samudra-Manthana (churning of the ocean) by gods and demons.
Devi Lakshmi, the daughter of the ocean and source of universal auspiciousness, came forth along with fourteen Ratnas (gems), each of which held the power to turn the fortunes of an individual and make them equivalent to Indra, the king of gods.
Goddess Lakshmi, the origin and abode of royalty, luxuries, wealth, and opulence, is evoked in Hinduism as the bestower of these 14 celestial Ratnas.
In this breathtakingly animated Panchaloha Maa Lakshmi bronze, the Swamimalai artists have sculpted an enchanting icon of Devi, who is the most luminous and potent jewel in the entire Srishti (creation).
Padmasana (she whose aasana or throne is a Padma or lotus) Devi Lakshmi stands elegantly on an upturned lotus which is placed on the top of a square pitha (plinth) with hooks attached to it, to assist the carriers of this divine image. An imposing Kiritamukuta- an elongated Vaishnava crown embellished with a criss-cross pattern, and a pair of peacock frame the heavenly visage of this bronze goddess Lakshmi icon. The moon-like face of Vishnupriya, beloved of Vishnu is beautified with a Bindi (auspicious dot on the forehead) and refined features that animate her face remarkably.
A series of necklaces, a simple Kuchabandha (breast band), and the delicate Uttariya (scarf) bring attention to the perfection of feminity that is displayed in the physical features of Devi Lakshmi. A diaphanous dhoti (lower body garment) with its multiple folds secured with a waistbelt and decorated with Kirtimukha (face of glory, a symbol of royalty) along with a beaded side chain adds to the opulent artistic feel of this bronze Devi Lakshmi statue.
The great goddess is in the Chaturbhuja or four-armed form, holding yet-to-blossom lotuses- a symbol of the earliest stages of creation and concealed inner consciousness in her secondary hands, while her primary left and right hands are raised in the gesture of disseminating boons and fearlessness respectively. Impeccable polishing and assured sculpting of all the elements make this bronze Maa Lakshmi statue a brilliant example of the iconographical and artistic mastery of the Tamil Sthapati, whose skilled hands have breathed life into a solid medium.
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.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist