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Two Dancing Ganeshas

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$3066

$4088

25% off

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Specifications

	EH37
	South Indian Temple Wood Carving
	Height: 72 inch
	Width: 17.4 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 26.70 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.

A Dance of Auspicious Beginnings

This remarkable South Indian temple wood carving captures the joyous energy of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. Measuring an impressive 72 inches in height, this piece showcases not one, but two intricately carved depictions of Ganesha in a dancing pose. The vibrant carving is evocative of the rich artistic traditions of South India and serves as a testament to the skill of the artisans who meticulously crafted it.

Ganesha: Beyond the Obstacle Remover

Ganesha's origin story is one steeped in legend. Born to Parvati, the divine consort of Shiva, Ganesha was initially created without Shiva's knowledge. When Shiva returned, Ganesha, unaware of his true parentage, prevented him from entering Parvati's chambers. In a rage, Shiva severed Ganesha's head. Parvati, heartbroken, demanded her son be brought back to life. Shiva, regretting his impulsive act, instructed his attendants to replace Ganesha's head with that of the first living being they encountered facing north – an elephant. This tale highlights the themes of devotion, misunderstanding, and the power of restoration, all embodied in the figure of Ganesha.

The Significance of the Dance

The depiction of Ganesha in a dancing posture is significant. It is often referred to as Nritta Ganapati or Nritya Ganapati, representing the god's joyful and playful nature. The dance symbolizes the cosmic rhythm and the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. Each movement of Ganesha's limbs is a celebration of life, a reminder that even amidst challenges, there is joy and harmony to be found. The carving captures this dynamic energy, bringing a sense of movement and vitality to the wooden form.

Temple Art of South India

This carving is a beautiful example of the South Indian temple art tradition. The intricate details, the vibrant (though aged) coloration, and the overall design aesthetic are all characteristic of this style. Temples in South India have historically served not only as places of worship but also as centers of art and culture, employing generations of artisans who honed their skills in carving, painting, and sculpting. Works such as this were created to adorn the temple interior, as a representation of deities or to aid in worship. This statue has been aged in a way that allows it to emulate the age and beauty of temple statuary, providing a historical significance to the work. The presence of Ganesha, Vahana (vehicle), Mooshika, in the statue are all significant icons of Ganesha and Hinduism. Each of these icons serve as a guide to the meaning and symbolism of Ganesha. By acquiring this piece, you're not only acquiring a beautiful work of art, but also a piece of cultural history.

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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