Goddess Durga of South India - Mariamman

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The history of wood carving dates back to the Middle Paleolithic age and exists as a universal phenomenon in human culture as a means for artistry. Wooden sculptures have gradually been in demand and still hold their perfect place in the Indian sculptural art. The sculpture shown here is carved out of the most finite quality wood in a dark chocolaty shade with tinges of light highlighting its beautiful formations. Goddess Mariamman is the Mother Goddess of South India, worshipped mainly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. She is often associated with Hindu goddess Durga as both the Hindu deities are opined to be the empowering role models for women and highlight the matriarchal worldview to the Indian history.

The word Mari, means ‘rain’ and the Tamil word Amman means ‘mother’, thus referring her as the Mother goddess of rain and prosperity. This wooden art of South Indian goddess Mariamman depicts her as a beautiful young woman often with a red hued face, sitting here in lalitasana on a high raised double lotus throne supported by a stylized pedestal. The goddess holds a long trident and a lotus flower in her anterior hands and the rear hands carry pasa and ankusa respectively. Bejeweled in gracious necklaces along with a long floral designed necklace that veils her body from top to bottom, large karnaphool and matching bracelets and anklets, the sculptor has given apt justice to the beauty of Mother Mariamman.

Note the perfection of her pleated dhoti forming horizontal stripes and a traditional floral border at the hem, covered with a beautiful floral kamarband. As you zoom in to the image, you will not stop praising the professional skills of the carver by looking at the elegant and smooth curves of her body, chiselled patterns beautifying her accessories and the realistic aspects of her expressions displaying Mariamman’s pleasant nature. The long multiple layered crown that glorifies the deity’s head is marvellously formed in typical South Indian temple style carvings. Having this artefact at as a decoration will mark it as an eye-catchy corner of the place.       

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Item Code: ZEO781
Specifications:
Wood Statue
Height: 36 inch
Width: 6.5 inch
Depth: 18.5 inch
Weight: 20 kg
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide

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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