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Four Armed Seated Ganesha Wooden Sculpture | South Indian Temple Wood Carving

$1275
$1700
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“Chaturbhuj” which means “four arms,” is a form of the Hindu deity Lord Ganesha. Each arm is adorned with symbolic attributes, this form of Lord Ganesha is revered for its multifaceted symbolism and spiritual significance. In the iconography of Chaturbhuj Ganesha, the noose symbolizes the ability to capture and remove obstacles from the path of devotees.


It represents Ganesha’s power to bind negativity and impediments, thereby facilitating progress and success. The elephant goad, or ankusha, signifies the guiding force that steers individuals towards righteousness and dharma. With this tool, Ganesha gently nudges his devotees in the right direction, ensuring they stay on the path of virtue.


Moreover, Chaturbhuj Ganesha holds a modak, a sweet delicacy that serves as a symbol of divine abundance and fulfillment. Beyond its visual representation, Chaturbhuj Ganesha embodies profound spiritual teachings. The four arms of Ganesha symbolize the four aspects of human personality: mind, intellect, ego, and consciousness. By meditating upon this form, devotes seek to harmonize these aspects and cultivate inner balance and harmony.

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Specifications
XN68
South Indian Temple Wood Carving
Height: 34.5 inch
Width: 18.5 inch
Depth: 6.8 inch
Weight 19.70 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Ships in 1-3 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Auspicious Beginnings: Invoking Ganesha

In South Indian temples, Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, holds a place of paramount importance. He is revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. Before any ritual or new venture, his blessings are sought to ensure success and prosperity. The iconography of Ganesha is rich with symbolism, each element carrying profound meaning. His large ears symbolize his ability to listen to prayers, the trunk represents adaptability and efficiency, and the modak (sweet) held in his hand signifies the rewards of spiritual pursuit.

Crafting Divinity: The Art of Temple Wood Carving

This sculpture exemplifies the intricate artistry of South Indian temple wood carvings. Passed down through generations, this craft is a testament to the skill and devotion of the artisans. The process begins with selecting the appropriate type of wood, often known for its durability and fine grain. The wood is then seasoned and prepared before the artisan meticulously carves the details of the deity. Notice the fine detailing on the ornaments, the folds of the garment, and the serene expression on Ganesha's face. The application of color further enhances the beauty of the carving, bringing the divine form to life.

The Four-Armed Embodiment

This particular representation of Ganesha depicts him with four arms, each holding symbolic objects. Typically, one hand holds a goad, representing his ability to prod individuals along the correct road to development and success, while another holds a noose, used to draw devotees closer to the truth. Another hand often holds a sweet (modak or laddoo), signifying the sweetness of realized inner peace and the reward of dedication. The last hand is often held in the Abhaya Mudra, a gesture of reassurance and protection, signifying "fear not". The presence of his vahana (mount), the mouse, is also significant. The mouse represents desires which, if uncontrolled, can wreak havoc. Ganesha's mastery over the mouse symbolizes his control over desires and impulses.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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