34" Superfine Wooden Lord Ganesha Sculpture

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The pillars of the aureole attached to the lotus platform have two gorgeous peacocks engraved upon them- their curling feathers transformed into a singular arch, on which mesmerizing floral patterns are carved. Four Mooshak (rat), Ganesha’s beloved mount, can be seen climbing up the arch, reminding us of the Ganesha temples where armies of rats roam all around the temple complex, loved and respected by the devotees of Ganesha as the manifestations of the deity’s benevolence. The Sun or Surya Deva in the center of the aureole acts as an extension of the aura of Ganesha, which is comparable to the radiance of a thousand suns.

Appearing as the sovereign ruler of the Universe, Ganesha sits comfortably on his wooden throne in the royal Maharaja Lalitasana posture. The flawless polishing on his humongous form increases the enchanting effect this wooden Sri Ganesha icon has on us. His heavenly face is adorned by an ornate crown decorated with floral motifs whose beauty can be best experienced on the reverse, where the floral plate is encircled by a bunch of peacock feathers. Another element worthy of appreciation on the reverse of this wooden Ganesha idol is the support of the throne, altered into a beautiful bunch of banana tree leaves, a plant closely associated with Sri Ganesha.

The elephant face of Sri Ganesha in this icon is seamlessly carved to bring to it a serene animation. The slightly closed eyes, parallel incised lines to depict the folds of the trunk, and the softness felt in the face where the tusks are protruding, all the features represent an artistic mind devoted to blowing life into their work. Exquisite jewelry ornaments Ganesha’s round torso, complemented by the fine Yajnopavita (sacred thread) presented by four lines, elegant folds of dhoti, lavish waist belt, and rings.

The four arms of Ganesha hold his characteristic Ayudha (weapons), two Modaka (sweet), and the gesture of fearlessness. Offerings to the great remover of obstacles are laid out in front of the wooden Ganesha- two lamps, plates of sweets, and sweets being presented by two Mooshaka, and flanking him stand two beautiful attendants, adorned with fine attire and jewelry that is delineated with surprising details. The attendants carry a chowri (flying whisk) and a lotus flower in their hands, serving the Raja (king) Ganesha. Sri Ganesha calms the devotee and moves the artist in this one-of-a-kind masterpiece of an icon with his bewitching form.

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.