30" Standing Goddess Lakshmi | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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 Using pure bronze and the complex method of “Madhuchistha vidhana”, where a hollow or solid model of clay is layered with wax, heated, filled with molten metal, and cooled, the artists achieve the icon. In the case of a large murti like this, different parts are modeled separately and then attached. The measurements of limbs, size, and designs of ornaments and other details are taken from the ancient treatise of iconography and followed word by word to attain these stunning Indian artworks.

The statue of Devi Sri Lakshmi is placed on a double-tiered pedestal, on an inverted lotus or Padma. She stands contrapposto, with her body weight shifted on one leg, giving her physique a lovely elegant appearance. Maa Lakshmi is four-armed- each of her hands sculpted to mimic the slenderness of lotus stems. Devi’s primary hands are in the gestures of giving boons (Varada mudra, left) and fearlessness (Abhaya mudra, right). She instructs her devotees to leave all fears behind because the great mother is ever present to guide and enrich their endeavors with her auspicious boons.

The ornamentation of this bronze goddess Lakshmi statue is intricately sculpted, befitting the glory of the universal provider of riches and abundance. An elongated Kiritamukuta crown sits on her head, marked with incised lines and decorated with a pair of parrots above her forehead. Parrot or Shuka in Hinduism represents youth, love, and beauty, which are bestowed upon a human who evokes the great Maa Lakshmi. The balance of fleshiness and slenderness on the limbs of Devi creates a naturalistic aesthetic. Arched eyebrows, elongated eyes, fine noses, and full lips fill the icon with a true-to-life quality. The torso of the goddess is replete with a series of jeweled strings, necklaces, brocaded Kucabandha (breast band), and channavira (stringed ornament running diagonally on the chest). A diaphanous dhoti worn by the goddess is presented with superb fabric details. Her girdle is adorned with Kirtimukha (face of glory, a symbol of divinity), a beaded chain forming a gorgeous semi-circle in the front and the center folds of the dhoti falling between Devi’s legs. Delicate uttariya (upper body garment, scarf) is draped around Devi Lakshmi’s secondary hands.

On the reverse of the Panchaloha icon, one can observe the wonder of rounded sculpting. Details of Devi’s sirachakra (circular support attached to the crown), Kuchabandha, piece of cloth tucked under the girdle, and the slight tightening of the fabric around the legs exemplify the efforts of the Shilpi (craftsman) in blowing divine life into the solid bronze.

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.