•

"Surasundari" Large Wooden Celestial Maiden On Pedestal

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

FREE Delivery

Only 1 available

$4040

The wooden statue of “Surasundari”- a heavenly maiden is one of the most popular motifs of Indian art and architecture. Engrossed in embellishing her awe-inspiring form, these celestial maidens symbolize beauty, fertility, auspiciousness, and abundance and can be seen adorning the walls of Hindu shrines across the Indian subcontinent.

The Surasundari wood statue is a monotone idol on a compact wooden platform shaped like an upturned lotus flower. Her foot as soft as the lotus flower is placed on the pedestal, which is adorned with a Paayal (anklet), while she attempts to put on the second anklet on her upraised right leg.

Ships in 1-3 days

Notify me when this item is available

Item Code:	MIS476
Specifications:	wood
Height:	75 inch
Width:	27 inch
Depth:	7 inch
Weight:	46 kg

Handmade

Free delivery

Fully insured

Shipped to 153 countries

More than 1M+ customers worldwide

The delicateness felt in her hands that hold the anklet, the sole of her foot and the anklet in her hand is evidence of the skills of the carver of this wooden Surasundari. Her dhoti has been delineated with fine incised lines and her jewelry made of beautiful pearl and floral patterned ornaments adds to the brilliance of her graceful physique. Her Juda (hairdo) rises high with ethnic adornments holding her long tresses in place. This wooden Surasundari statue has been endowed with perfect almond eyes and sharp facial features that are immensely life-like.

In the backdrop of this wooden Surasundari are curving floral vines and vegetation, symbolic of the revitalizing powers of youth that she holds within her. A peacock with open feathers sits in the top center, with two other peacocks flanking the elegant posture of the heavenly maiden. The dance of the peacock is a popular symbol of the arrival of the monsoon- the season of newness, fertility, and revival. The majestic bird also dances as a part of their mating ritual, to attract their female partner.

Hence, the beautiful peacocks carved in wood symbolically complement the fecundity of the youthful heavenly maiden. Thoughtful use of high and low relief within the same sculpture has added a visual dynamism and realistic feel to the icon of Surasundari, enlivening the heavenly beauty in wood to enchant you and every individual that enters your space.

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