A Tender Display of Affection (Varaha with Bhudevi)

$2375

In the sequence of Vishnu's ten incarnations, Varaha - the boar, follows his fish and tortoise avatars. Differing texts give various explanations for his taking up the form of a boar. According to one, Vishnu thus transformed himself to rescue the world which was sinking into the ocean, weighed under the burden of its own evil., or, as another text puts it, due to overpopulation and the consequent increase in grain production (a firm warning to the overindulging consumerist society). A third variation however, which is also a creation myth, says that Vishnu picked up a piece of ground from under the ocean and spreading it on a lotus leaf, created the world. This cosmogonic myth is undoubtedly of greater antiquity than the ones which underscore his role as the saviour of the earth.

Item Code: EG12
Specifications:
South Indian Temple Wood Carving
Height: 5 ft
Width: 1.5 ft
Depth: 0.4 ft
Weight: 22.60 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

In most sculptural representations of Varaha, Vishnu assumes an anthropomorphic form except for the head, which is that of a boar. Here he sits with his extended left leg supporting the rescued earth goddess (Bhudevi). The latter is personified as a beautiful woman perched demurely on her lord's thigh. The two sit in an affectionate repose. While one of his left arms encircles her slender waist, the goddess's right hand too shares in the affections and entwines itself around him. In a tender display of affection, Varaha gently supports her feet on his extended right hand. Here it is relevant to observe that according to ancient texts Vishnu later took on Bhudevi as his second consort, the first being goddess Lakshmi.


Typically, as in this instance, Varaha's body is depicted frontally, but the face is nearly always in semi-profile. He has four arms, two of which hold implement characteristic of Vishnu, namely the conch and lotus. The body is dominated by the large head topped with a towering crown signifying his exalted status in the Hindu pantheon. The modelling of the figure emphasizes the deity's heroic proportions and a swelling sense of volume. The serpent below his feet symbolizes the aquatic serpent, stepping upon which he triumphantly emerged from the primordial waters.


Two dancing yakshis at the bottom of the panel, on either side of a lotus pillar, joyously celebrate the cosmic victory over evil.


This sculpture was created in Salem (Tamil Nadu), using Vengai wood.


Of Related Interest:

Miniature Painting of Varaha

Varaha Mask

Varaha in Brass

Varaha (In Indian Art, Culture and Literature)

Varaha Images in Madhya Pradesh

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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