Dancing Devi Sarasvati, Under A Canopy Teeming With Life

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Dancing Devi Sarasvati, Under A Canopy Teeming With Life

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The Devi Sarasvati dances to the music of Her own veena. She is Haripriya (‘Hari’ is another name of Lord Vishnu; ‘priya’, the Sanskrt word for favourite), wife of Lord Vishnu, presiding deity over learning and the fine arts. This explains why the veena is an indispensable element of Her iconography, just like in this standing wooden panel crafted after the style of South Indian temple architecture of yore. In fact, the spring in Her stance and motion of Her form set this apart from your run-of-the-mill Devi Sarasvati murtis.

On the soft belly of a gigantic lotus rests the single foot of a laterally bent leg. The other is raised mid-air, while Her curvaceous hips jut out sharply sidewards. Clearly the sculptor has captured Her amidst a gracious dance routine. The chaturbhujadharini (four-armed) Devi holds a rosary and a scrolled up pothi in Her posterior hands; with Her anterior left hand She cradles the slender neck of Her instrument, while the right She rests upon its bosom. Her beauteous face is framed by a pair of gold karnakundalas, a mass of jet black tresses cascading down Her back, and a multi-tiered crown tapering upwards in keeping with traditional Southern iconography.

A dense, gorgeously coloured network of vines constitutes the Devi’s aureole. Birds of richly coloured plumage and luscious fruits nestle amidst the soft, nourishing verdure. Zoom in on the same in order to appreciate the precision and attention to detail prevailing in the composition.

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Specifications

	XK91
	South Indian Temple Wood Carving
	Height: 53.4 inch
	Width: 17.5 inch
	Depth: 4.7 inch
	Weight 23.70 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 40 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Embodiment of Wisdom and Artistry

This exquisite South Indian temple wood carving captures the divine presence of Goddess Sarasvati, the Hindu deity of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and nature. Rendered in a vibrant and dynamic posture, the carving depicts her in a graceful dance, exuding an aura of serene power and creative energy. Her form is intricately detailed, adorned with traditional jewelry and flowing garments, each element meticulously shaped by the skilled hands of master artisans. The rich, hand-painted colors bring the carving to life, highlighting the nuances of the wood and the divine artistry. ——

A Realm of Abundance and Life

The Goddess is presented under a breathtaking canopy teeming with life, a testament to her dominion over all creative pursuits and the natural world. Lush foliage, depicted in various shades of green, weaves a rich tapestry around her. Interspersed within this verdant expanse are depictions of flora and fauna, each rendered with lifelike detail. Vibrant birds, reminiscent of the peacock, the Goddess's vahana, perched on branches, add a touch of color and movement. Playful monkeys swing from the vines, symbolizing the lively and energetic aspects of creation, while a tiger, a symbol of strength and ferocity, is subtly integrated into the natural setting. These elements collectively create a miniature ecosystem, mirroring the vastness and interconnectedness of the universe that Sarasvati presides over. The base of the carving features a blooming lotus, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, upon which Sarasvati stands, further emphasizing her divine status. ——

A Tradition of Sacred Craftsmanship

Hailing from the rich artistic heritage of South India, this carving is a piece of traditional temple art. Such intricate woodwork has adorned sacred spaces for centuries, serving as both objects of devotion and artistic marvels. The techniques employed are passed down through generations, ensuring that each piece carries the spirit and skill of its ancestors. The use of wood, a natural and revered material, connects the carving to the earth and imbues it with a sense of timelessness. The vibrant colors, often symbolic in their own right, further enhance the devotional and aesthetic appeal, making this piece a true collector's item and a conduit for divine inspiration. This Sarasvati carving is not merely a decorative object, but a celebration of knowledge, art, and the vibrant spirit of creation, meticulously brought to life in wood.

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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