Finely Engraved Krishna-Lila Panel

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A panel such as this one belongs to the walls of an ancient South Indian temple. Probably high up towards the ceiling, down the corridor leading up to the garbhagrha. As good as a standalone work of art, it tells the story of Krishnaleela or the divine playfulness of Lord Krishna. A widely revered Vishnu-avatara, He has a presence in every Indian home and temple, to which this panel is no exception.

It is a composite of five miniature panels, each recounting a historic episode from the life and leela of the Lord. Starting from the left, He stands in the midst of beauteous lovesick gopis (Vrindavan milkmaids). He overpowers the demon Keshi sent by His villainous uncle Kamsa. He plays the flute while His beloved Radha dances. He spends time in the company of His gentle friend the cow. Finally, He vanquishes the vociferous serpent Kalia. Zoom in on each of the panels to appreciate the miniscule iconography and the attention to detail despite the scale.

So are the ancillary elements of the composite panel. The constituent panels are distinguished by the Indian muses, the apsaras. They are playing musical instruments and dancing to the ballads of Krishnaleela. In the narrowly sculpted row beneath the main panels are the creatures of patalaloka, man and beast, who are seemingly holding them up. On the top are multi-tiered lotus-petal roofs after the style of ancient South Indian temples. Flanked by none other than Lord Hanuman in either corner.

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Item Code:	ZCO30
Specifications:	South Indian Temple Wood Carving
Height:	95 inch
Width:	28 inch
Depth:	3.6 inch
Weight:	57.20 kg

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The lila (divine playfulness) of Lord Krishna is unspeakably endearing and potent with meaning. Children's literature in this part of the world abound with tales of His divine exploits, which have as much to teach adults as children. This wooden panel is superbly carved with portraitures of the young God in the loving company of gopis and playmates. With the practice of this endemic art running across generations of artisan families, the most perfect of wooden sculptures are to be found in the recesses of South India.

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.

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.

Wood tends to expand and contract even after it has been processed, thus it is always recommended to keep the wooden sculptures in rooms with little humidity. Excess moisture can harm your masterpiece.

Periodical dusting of the finished piece is necessary to maintain its beauty as dust accumulation on the surface takes away the shine of the sculpture. You can use a clean and soft cloth or a hairbrush for this purpose.

You must avoid applying any chemical-based solutions that may damage the wood from the inside. Instead, you can apply lemon oil or coconut oil using a cotton rag to the sculpture to bring out its natural shine. Lemon oil also helps to clean any stains on the sculpture.

Applying a layer of beeswax protects the wood from sun damage and hides even the smallest imperfections on the wood.

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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