48" Sitting Goddess Saraswati | Handmade | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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Lotus, the symbol of purity is an integral part of the physical appearance of Sarasvati. She is padmasana- one who sits on a lotus flower, Padmakshi- one who has lotus-shaped eyes, and Padmavaktraga- whose face is as beautiful as a lotus flower. The great goddess who rules the sphere of unadulterated wisdom is beyond worldly chaos. Like a lotus that blossoms in muddy water, but remains untainted, Sarasvati while being involved in the human world, is above its triviality. Devi Sarasvati is Chaturbhuja, four-armed, and Pustakdhrit, one who holds a book. The book and rosary in her hands represent Gyan (knowledge) and austerities. In her main hands, the goddess holds a veena, known as the Sarasvati veena after her. Vidyarupa, the personification of knowledge, goddess Sarasvati accompanied by her attributes grants boons of prodigious wisdom. The great deity of knowledge is equally appealing in physical appearance. This handmade Panchloha bronze has fruitfully captured the enchanting beauty of Kamrupa- the embodiment of desires. She has a slender waist, thin limbs, and rounded breasts. A verse from Rig Veda evokes Sarasvati by asking her to provide nourishment through her “inexhaustible breast”. The great goddess is filled with maternal instincts as a young maiden and revered to receive her affectionate varada-hasta. The magnificence of goddess Sarasvati in this bronze statue is heightened by high-rising mukut and gemmed ornaments. Sarasvati sits in Lalitasana, the royal posture, with her right leg placed on the ground, asylum for those seeking refuge from the illusionary world. A fiery Prabhavali with Kirtimukha on its top, surrounds the Devi, defining her presence, the aura that wraps her heavenly form. On each side of the Prabhavali sit a swan, the vahana of Saraswati and a symbol of purity. The countenance of goddess Sarasvati emits a Shaant-bhava- the emotion of tranquillity achieved by her authority over the Ultimate Truth. In this glorious bronze idol, the goddess Sarasvati is Triguna- the epitome of a balance of three qualities- Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas, desired by sages and kings alike. 

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.