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The Enigma of Kali

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Specifications

	ZC20
	Black Marble Sculpture
	Height: 1.5 ft
	Width: 0.9 ft
	Depth: 0.3 ft
	Weight 8.20 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 35 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.

This extraordinary sculpture, carved meticulously from black marble, presents a profound representation of Kali, the fierce and powerful Hindu goddess. Standing at 1.5 feet tall, this artwork captures the essence of her dynamic energy and the paradoxical nature of destruction and creation that she embodies.

Iconography of the Divine Mother

Kali, derived from the Sanskrit word for "black," is a complex deity often misunderstood. Her dark complexion represents the darkness from which all creation springs, the void beyond form and perception. She is depicted with wild, dishevelled hair, symbolizing freedom and untamed nature, breaking the bonds of societal norms. This statue portrays her with multiple arms, each wielding symbolic objects. In one hand, she carries a sword, representing the cutting away of illusion and ignorance. Another holds a severed head, signifying the ego that must be sacrificed for spiritual liberation. A bowl collects the blood, symbolic of life force. The gesture of "fear not" with another hand offers protection to her devotees, emphasizing her benevolent side. Her garland of severed heads represents the cycle of karma and liberation from attachment to the physical world.

Kali and the Dance of Destruction

One of the most compelling aspects of Kali's mythology is her association with the cosmic dance. It is said that she dances on the body of Shiva, her consort. In this sculpture, Shiva is depicted lying beneath her feet. This imagery symbolizes the active principle (Shakti, Kali) energizing the passive principle (Shiva, pure consciousness). The narrative goes that Kali, intoxicated with the blood of demons, began a frenzied dance that threatened to destroy the universe. To stop her, Shiva lay down among the corpses, and when Kali stepped on him, she was shocked into awareness of her actions and ceased her destructive dance. This episode highlights the importance of balance and control, even within the most powerful forces.

The Black Marble Medium

The choice of black marble for this sculpture is significant. The deep, lustrous black enhances the aura of mystery and power surrounding Kali. Marble, as a material, provides a lasting and dignified presence, reflecting the eternal nature of the deity. The smooth texture invites contemplation and allows the viewer to connect with the divine energy that Kali embodies. This handcrafted statue is not merely a decorative object, but a potent symbol of transformation, courage, and the ultimate reality.

Dimensions:

1.5 x 0.9 x 0.3 ft

How to clean and maintain marble statues?

Marble has been a preferred material for sculptors and artists for more than a thousand years. It is a rock that undergoes metamorphism which causes recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains. Marble comes in various colors, designs, and dimensions. Pure white marble is the most preferred type of marble for making sculptures and statues since time immemorial. White marble is especially used for sculpting stone monumental sculptures since ancient times. The natural shine and luster of the carbonate crystals of white marble give a lavish and beautiful appearance to the statue.

Marble stone statues are highly durable and can even withstand harsh weather conditions without getting corroded, therefore, they can be kept indoors or outdoors without getting damaged or weathered. Although these statues can last for many decades, their regular care and cleaning are essential to increase their longevity and beautiful appearance.

The simplest and basic way of cleaning a marble stone statue is to clear away dirt accumulated on the surface. Outdoor statues are especially prone to biological growth and dirt build-up that may take away their natural beauty. You may rinse the statue with warm water and mild soap to clean the dirt as much as possible. You can use a sponge or cotton cloth to scrape off dirt accumulated in crevices and cracks.

You must never allow water to stand on the surface of the statue for a long time. Standing water gets absorbed by the marble’s porous surface which results in its discoloration. Therefore, it is always recommended to dry-clean the statue with a towel or damp cloth.

Applying beeswax, a non-toxic product, on the surface of the marble statue offers protection against staining, dirt, and pollutants. It also polishes the surface and gives a natural shine to the statue.

Marble statues need periodical cleaning to maintain their flawless look. However, harsh and deep cleaning can result in making the statue look dull. If your marble statue is withering away, it is recommended to take the help of a professional cleaner. Marble is a delicate material and therefore needs proper care.

Marble Mastery Unveiled: The Artisan's Symphony in Sculpting Timeless Beauty

Marble is a soft and delicate metamorphic rock derived from limestone. It is composed mainly of recrystallized carbonate minerals. The appealing appearance of marble gives rise to the making of beautiful sculptures and statues. Jaipur city of Rajasthan, India, is considered the capital of marble carving where various marble idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are made. These magnificent statues are carved by skilled sculptors out of the purest white marble. The slight softness of white marble makes it easier to be carved and chiseled into any desirable form or shape. Another impressive feature of marble is that the calcite has a low refractive index that allows light to penetrate the stone before getting scattered out. This results in bringing a translucent appearance and luster to the marble sculpture. This is the reason why most sculptors prefer to work with marble for sculpting life-size statues that require intricate details, evoking a certain realism to the work.

There is a detailed or step-by-step process of developing the desired structure of a sculpture from marble stone. These steps are:

1. Clay mould

Most sculptors prefer to sculpt a preliminary model out of clay or wax to translate its complex and intricate details into the final stone sculpture with the use of calipers or a pointing machine. The plasticity of the clay mould helps sculptors capture the success of the final sculpture before carving the stone. The clay is moulded into the desired shape or form and this acts as a rough

2. Roughing out

The second step of carving or sculpting is to remove large portions of unwanted marble stone. This task is done by using a special tool known as a point chisel. The pointed end of this tool is useful for splitting the large stone and removing big chunks that are not wanted. Usually, a mallet (a tool similar to a hammer) is used to transfer energy through the chisel to shatter the stone evenly and accurately.

3. Refining the figure

Once the sculptors have determined the general shape of the sculpture, a toothed chisel or claw chisel is used to refine the stone. These tools create parallel lines in the stone to add texture to the figure. During this stage, the rough block of stone has now changed into the general shape of the sculpture.

4. Adding the details

The sculptor is now ready to carry out detailed work to develop a more refined form of the sculpture. Tools such as rasps and rifflers are then used to enhance the shape into its final form. These tools finely create details such as frills or folds of clothing or locks of hair.

5. Polishing

This is the last step in marble sculpting in which the sculptor uses materials such as sandpaper to bring out a natural sheen to the sculpture. The sandpaper is rubbed against the surface to make it smoother and flawless. Sometimes, tin oxide is also used to make the sculpture appear glossy and more translucent.

Marble sculptures are highly durable and can last for many decades if maintained and taken care of properly. They are also extremely weather-resistant and therefore, can be kept outdoors or indoors. The exquisite beauty of marble statues elevates the aura of the space and emanates positivity all around.