The very picture of divine beauty and grace, the mirror lady or “Darpana” (darpan-mirror) is one of the earliest and most exquisite icons in Indian art tradition. Standing on an innovative lotus-adorned multi-tiered platform, this wooden mirror lady with her delicate limbs and graceful posture appears to be embodying the effortless fluidity of curving wish-fulfilling creeper that frames her heavenly form.
In a leisurely posture conveyed through her stance, the wooden Darpana is engrossed in giving final touches to her otherworldly ornamentation. With a mirror in her right hand and her left hand on her head, the Darpana appears to be applying vermillion- a symbol of auspiciousness and feminine beauty in the parting of her sumptuously curling hair.
Such sculptures of celestial beauties applying vermilion or sindoor have been popularized the world over through the art of Khajuraho temple, which is famous for its intricate and aesthetic wall carvings. Owing to the masterful finish on the wood surface, the body of Darpana is endowed with a pleasing sandalwood shade, bringing to mind the fragrant sandalwood branches on which numerous serpents linger.
Here, the clinging serpents are replaced by ornate jewelry pieces, which are carved in such a manner that they seem to be following the bodily contours of the remarkable Darpana. A heaviness is felt in the appearance of the necklaces, ornate girdles, and other fineries that adorn the mirror lady in this wooden statue.
A discernible elegant musculature in the limbs of the Darpana is made possible by minor artistic additions to the wood statue- incised lines on the neck to convey natural folds, lines, and depth on the torso to highlight the curves of the waist, bumps on the legs in place of knee bones, and overall smoothness to present fleshiness of the female form.
The best feature of the wooden mirror lady is undoubtedly her moon face, rounded and carved with such perfection, with lotus eyes, sharp nose, and fuller lips that the onlooker might gaze into her eyes a little longer in a hope that she might blink them any second. A background element in Indian sculptures represents an extension of the characteristics and potencies of the subject.
The wish-fulfilling creeper or Kalpa-Lata is a legendary object in Hinduism that, as the name suggests is believed to fulfill all kinds of aspirations. The parrots who are housed in the gentle twists of the creeper are connected to the Hindu god of Love- Kamadeva. Together, the wish-fulfilling creeper and the birds provide a fitting backdrop to the ethereal Darpana, whose with her awe-inspiring beauty is the personification of the Kalpa-Lata, acquiring which is bound to realize the desires of human senses.
How to care for Wood Statues?
Wood is extensively used in sculpting especially in countries like China, Germany, and Japan. One feature that makes the wood extremely suitable for making statues and sculptures is that it is light and can take very fine detail. It is easier for artists to work with wood than with other materials such as metal or stone. Both hardwoods, as well as softwood, are used for making sculptures. Wood is mainly used for indoor sculptures because it is not as durable as stone. Changes in weather cause wooden sculptures to split or be attacked by insects or fungus. The principal woods for making sculptures and statues are cedar, pine, walnut, oak, and mahogany. The most common technique that sculptors use to make sculptures out of wood is carving with a chisel and a mallet. Since wooden statues are prone to damage, fire, and rot, they require proper care and maintenance.
It is extremely important to preserve and protect wooden sculptures with proper care. A little carelessness and negligence can lead to their decay, resulting in losing all their beauty and strength. Therefore, a regular clean-up of the sculptures is a must to prolong their age and to maintain their shine and luster.
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