Otherwise, a classical form classified in the Ganesha’s iconographic tradition as Vijay-Ganapati – the victorious lord who bestows success on his devotees in all their struggles and efforts, as an art piece this four-armed image of the elephant god is rare in its aesthetic beauty as well as technical maturity.
Highly innovative some of the attributes have been dually used. Vijay Ganapati usually carries a mango in his normal left hand.
The artist has replaced it with a custard apple, a new kind of fruit-attribute, and as for a mango has added in the background a mango tree with abundant of mango-fruits on it.
The symmetrically rounded branches of the mango tree also serve as fire-arch and larger halo behind the deity image. The deity’s mount mouse has been used, besides as mount, also as the trumpeter lauding his lord by blowing its trumpet. Though a brass-cast for various effects the artifact has been judiciously anodized and shaded using tints of gold, copper and, for a look of antiquity, grayish-green as that of scum on stagnant surface of water. Each tint has been intelligently shaded lest it was monotonous and dominating.
For greater precision and finer details all parts of which this statue is composed have been independently cast and then assembled into a comprehensive image. The number of such components is quite large, even the pedestal – seat, the image has been installed on, consists of four parts, the base moulding, middle moulding, ‘purna-ghata – ritual pot, on its right, and the trumpet-blowing mouse – the Lord’s mount, on its left, the top lotus moulding immediately under the deity, being the fifth.
The lotus moulding on the top, Lord Ganesha is seated on, though a pedestal’s part, seems to have been cast with the image proper, that is, with the deity icon itself. At least two of the attributes that the elephant god is holding seem to have been independently cast. Alike the mango tree in the background serving as both, an arch as also the part of the theme, seems have been composed of various units, at least the four peacocks and ten pairs of leaves and mango-fruits, all independently cast and assembled along the tree-branches.
Fluted base moulding and the one in the middle have been carved with arabesques breathing an air of rare antiquity. This form of Lord Ganesha closely reflects his manifestation as Vijay Ganapati, one of his 32 classical forms enumerated in the known Mudgal Purana, the earliest treatise on Ganesha theme. As prescribed he is carrying in upper hands elephant goad and noose, while in the normal left, alternating a mango he is carrying a custard apple though this image-form includes a mango as part of the background and thereby of the image, and in the normal right, the broken tusk, the instrument with which he protects his followers.
The conqueror and the blissful Lord of victories Vijay Ganapati bestows success and assures achievement of all goals by not allowing obstacles to impede his devotee's path. In obtaining minute details, anatomical proportions, divine aura and classicism the image is outstanding. The elephant god has been represented as seated in ‘utkut akasana’ though it also blends elements of ‘lalitasana’. Instead of both knees lifted, as in ‘utkut akasana’, this posture has right leg horizontally stretched along the floor of the seat as in ‘lalitasana’, while left, lifted as in ‘utkut akasana’.
In plasticity, modeling, precision, grace, elegance and appropriate details, that is, in obtaining every desired effect, the artifact is simply unparalleled. The image has been installed on a three-tiered tall pedestal, the base unit being large enough to house the mount as also the ‘purna-ghata’. The topmost tier, a fully blooming lotus, is only such large as covers the squatting deity. The figure’s right tusk is almost completely missing. The trunk-end is turned like a ring. It holds in ringing fold a decorative scarf, and on its tip, a ‘modaka’.
A routine crowning headgear apart, its fore-band covering the forehead and eyes consisting of decorative frills, and those of larger size and more elaborate with laces of beads and decorative bells attached to it are simply unique. The image has behind the deity’s face a halo consisting of stylized lotuses. The most beautiful component of the statue is the fire-arch type ringing branches of the mango tree. Lest it is seen as the traditional floral arch ringing round the deity the artist of the image did not join the two branches on the top. He has conceived them just as two branches growing and even reaching close to each other but maintaining distance.
This description by Dr. Daljeet and Prof. P.C. Jain.
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.
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