•

Large Size Temple Wood-Carving Representing Four-Armed Vishnu

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

$3815

FREE Delivery

This item can be backordered

Time required to recreate this artwork

12 to 16 weeks

Advance to be paid now

$763 (20%)

Balance to be paid once product is ready

$3052

Notify me when this item is available

Item Code:	ZAS38
Specifications:	South Indian Temple Wood Carving
Height:	47.5 inch
Width:	31 inch
Depth:	6.6 inch
Weight:	27.50 kg

Handmade

Free delivery

Fully insured

Shipped to 153 countries

More than 1M+ customers worldwide

This brilliant wood-carving from Salem in Tamil Nadu, the world-wide celebrated centre of South Indian wood carving engaged in the tradition now for generations, a four-feet tall statue, represents Lord Vishnu in his four-armed form known in iconographic tradition as Chaturbhuja. Though a wood-piece it is endowed with a marble image like plasticity and a gold-ornament like fine details and lustre, each precisely worked delightfully revealing all desired dimensions, contours and effects. Lord Vishnu has been represented as carrying his usual attributes – all as the iconographic convention of Vishnu’s images provided : in the upper right hand the chakra – disc, in normal right, an artistically conceived lotus, in upper left, conch, and in normal left, mace. Though not like a routine instrument of warfare but a bit decorative the mace alone is in its realistic form; the other three – disc, conch and lotus, are highly stylized and only symbolic.

In the Tri-murti concept Vishnu is seen as Sustainer; hence, among his attributes lotus representing three-aspected cosmic existence and being the symbol of accomplishment, always has a bit of priority over others. His other attributes are the instruments of destruction which is not Vishnu’s regular and characteristic role. This perception seems to effectively determine the basic form of the statue for besides the two-tiered lotus pedestal the image of Vishnu has been installed on, the Prabhawali – fire-arch, that his image enshrines also consists of lotus motifs. Both, the base and the top of the dwarf pillars over which the circular arch is raised consist of prominent lotuses. The image further emphasizes on this aspect of Lord Vishnu by adding to the Prabhawali a Shrimukha motif, the symbol of ultimate good and auspicious.

The statue, the unique combination of sculptural art and miniature painting, has been sculpted out of a piece of Bangai wood, the most celebrated timber used for temple wood carving for generations. Neither too soft nor too hard and hence allowing greater scope for precise details this timber leaves greater scope to the craftsman’s talent to devote itself to such aspects as perfect modeling of figures, carving such aspects as revealed the represented figures intrinsic being and over-all aesthetics of the piece. Besides, moderately priced it also makes the art-work affordable within one’s normal budget. A semi-divine icon a statue like this one can have for a domestic shrine as also like an art piece for a sitting hall. Different from a decorative art-piece this statue, or any such semi-divine piece, shall besides beautifying the place shall also attribute to the ambience a kind of sanctity and divinity which is also the main objective of the entire art.

The world’s supreme commander, Lord Vishnu has been represented as standing revealing his readiness to rush, though as suggests the position of his feet he has been represented as a static figure, that is, the symbolic dimensions of the figure are different from what its anatomy suggests. This is one of his two most usual postures which are more prevalent in Vaishnava iconography. His other popular image is as reclining on the surface of Kshirasagara – the mythical ocean of milk, on the coils of the great serpent Shesh, usually with Lakshmi massaging his feet, and Brahma emerging riding a lotus rising from his navel.The image has been raised over a pedestal consisting in two parts. The base unit, a moulding with elliptic ends, consists of conventionalized lotus motifs, the upper plank being plain. In the centre is an elaborate lotus carved in realistic shape. It is this lotus that the image of Lord Vishnu enshrines. From the corners of the base unit rises the Prabhavali that Lord Vishnu pervades.

The image has been represented in a tight-fitted ‘antariya’ – lower wear. The figure of Vishnu is excellent in modeling, plasticity and embellishment. There enshrines a divine sentiment on his face. It has sharp features and balanced anatomy. Each ornament is exceptional in finish, precision and details. The figures of Vishnu are conceived as putting on a towering crown but not so well bedecked with gems as this one. Besides his usual Vaishnava ‘tilaka’ on the forehead he is putting on his usual ornaments : beautiful kundalas – ear-ornaments, and various others covering his neck, breast, shoulders, arms, waist, ankles, feet … each carved with thread-like minute details, and each outstanding in elegance and beauty. Besides his usual waist-band he is putting on his waist a number of beaded frills beautifully lying down over and around the ‘antariya’ and a decorative ‘pata’ consisting of lotus flowers suspending down along the parting of legs.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.

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.

Products related to this item