40" Large Paavai Vilakku (Deep Lakshmi) | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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The tradition of bronze Pavai Vikkau or Deepalakshmi goes back to the time of the 3rd century B.C. ancient Tamil epic Shilapadikaram (the Jeweled Anklet), which describes life-size metal lady lamps decorating the streets during a temple festival. Sculptures of Deepalakshmi can also be seen in the temple pillars of famous South Indian shrines such as the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu, as signs of a flaming, immovable, and divine devotion. Exotic India Art has for you, the timeless devotional lamps- Pavai Vikkau or Deepalakshmi in pristine Panchaloha bronze, from the home of devotees and artists- Swamimalai.

The bronze pair of Deepalakshmi stands on an independent upturned lotus platform in the elegant “Abhanga” posture. The facial features of the Deepalakshmi pair are stunningly revealed- wide eyes, a sharp but large nose, and full lips that have a hint of a smile on them. The Deepalakshmi have their hair held in a bun which is adorned with various traditional hair ornaments that hold their flowing tresses in place while leaving a few curls on their forehead. Their flawless youth is beautified by Kundala (earrings), Mangal Malai (necklace with paisley motif), Haaram (long necklace), Vanki (armband), Mekhla (girdle), and Nupur (anklet)- all traditional South Indian ornaments. A fine dhoti (lower body garment) with tiny jeweled edgings snuggles the lithesome legs of the Deepalakshmi bronzes, with its tassels making symmetrical curls on the sides and antariya (pleats on the front) falling admirably. Finer details of the ornaments and delineation of these Panchaloha Pavai Vikkau can be observed on the reverse- braids of hair meandering down their body, fringes of jewelry clinging to the torso, and refined musculature on the dhoti.

With their hands raised to their chest, the Panchaloha Deepalakshmi hold a wide bronze plate in which oil and cotton strands are placed to burn the ritual lamp or Deepa. The parrot that sits on the shoulder of the Deepalakshmi is an attribute related to the young heroines of ancient texts and features in different Indian art forms as the inseparable companions of the ladies, who they amuse with the romantic messages from their admirers.

Iconic for the divine experience these bronze Deepalakshmi can instill in the space, with ritual fire dynamically burning and throwing brilliant light at their forms, they are an ancient Indian masterpiece. Devotion and beauty arrested in pure bronze will transform your space into the interiors of a heavenly temple.  

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.