Of all the female figures that have decorated the walls of Indian temples, with their beauty and form, the Nayika (heroine), applying vermillion or “Sindoor” is perhaps one of the most popular and elegant presentations of feminine grace. Usually, with a mirror or bowl of vermillion in her hand, the Nayika bedecked in jewels and fine clothing, can be seen giving the final touches to her “Solah-Sringar”- sixteen kinds of ornamentations according to ancient Indian beauty traditions that enhance the natural appeal of a lady. Attractive in every manner, fresh as a newly-blossomed lotus, the young Nayika in this mesmeric Panchaloha bronze is a recreation of the temple beauties, engrossed in the process of beautifying themselves.
On a simple upturned lotus platform, the delicate feet of the Nayika rest. Her round face and limber form suggest that she has just reached the threshold of youth. Rich ethnic ornaments- round earrings, beautiful necklaces, armbands, Chanavira (jeweled thread crossing her chest), and a heavy Mekhala (waist ornament) highlight the symmetry and gracefulness of this bronze Nayika sculpture.
Through the interplay of incised lines and carvings, a flowing braid has been crafted for the bronze Nayika, which clings to her form as smoothly as the serpents coil around the fragrant stem of the Sandalwood tree.
The bronze Nayika statue has sumptuous hints of green patina endowing it with an antique touch that cannot miss the eye. With her right hand arrested in the gesture of applying vermilion, the Nayika in this bronze is an age-old, aesthetic reminder of the importance of vermillion in Hinduism and Indian beauty tradition.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
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