Presented in the most painstakingly fine detailing, the central image is that of the great preserver in the triad of the powerful ‘Trimurti.’ Vishnu’s body, immaculately created, stands in the ‘abhanga’ posture, deep in thought. His standing presence has four hands, which carry his iconic attributes – the ‘Sudarshana chakra’ or war discus, the conch ‘Panchajanya,’ his mace ‘Kaumodaki,’ and the ‘padma’ lotus flower. Breathtakingly presented, every little detail signifies the fearsome as well as benevolent aspect of the Vaishnavite lord. His overall presence radiates with decorative jewellery– Vishnu wears a small ‘dhoti’ that is held together with several flowing tassels and sashes that extend to his feet, and his upper body is decked with multiple neckpieces extending till his navel. A multi-tiered ‘mukuta’ is placed on his head, and his whole body is placed on a double lotus pedestal. The lotus, whether held by Vishnu or under his feet, represents spiritual liberation and the purity of thought.

Two small figures flank Vishnu, poised in the ‘anjali mudra’ performing a ‘namaskaram’ – these are the divinities Garuda and Hanuman. Garuda is Vishnu’s faithful mount or ‘vahana,’ while Hanuman is said to be an incarnation of Shiva, accompanying Vishnu (Hanuman is also the faithful devotee of Rama, who were the seventh avatar of Vishnu).

The three figures stand tall on an elaborate double tiered plinth, and the large figure of Vishnu is graced under the auspicious presence of an ornate ‘prabhamandala’ that is shaped like an arch over the deity. The circular halo is supported by two carved pillars on which the ‘sthapati’ has depicted rampant lions; similarly, the ‘prabhamandala’ is seen to emanate from two fishes – attesting to the creative insight of the artisan in incorporating powerful Vaishnavite symbols and icons associated with Vishnu’s life. The whole spiral is decorated on several layers and is capped with the fierce motif of a ‘kirtimukha.’

Such minute attention to detail truly embodies our magnificent craftwork and skill that is on display here. The delicate execution of each element, made possible only by the ‘madhuchistavidhana’ bronze casting, resolutely cements the glory of ancient Hindu art and craft work, and makes this large sculpture not only a religious centerpiece, but an iconic and historical work of art.

Sculpting Dreams in Metal: The Enigmatic Alchemy of Panchaloha Bronze Masterpieces

Bronze statues and sculptures are known for their exquisite beauty and the divinity that they emit all around the space. Bronze is considered an excellent metal alloy, composed primarily of copper and tin. Many properties make it suitable for sculpting even the most intricate and complex structures. There was a period in history, known as the “Bronze Age'', in which most sculptors preferred to work with Bronze as it was considered the hardest metal. Bronze is especially appreciated for its durability, ductility, and corrosion-resistance properties. India is especially known for its elegant workmanship of skills working with Bronze. The artisans of a town named Swamimalai in South India have been following a tradition of bronze murti making for ages. They use a special material known as Panchaloha bronze to make fascinating icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. All of us are allured by the beauty of bronze statues and sculptures but there goes a tough hand in casting those masterpieces with little or no imperfections. Since it is an extremely elaborate process, a sculptor needs to be highly skilled in making bronze antiques. The most common technique for casting bronze sculptures that has been followed since ancient times is the “Lost-wax” process which involves many steps:

1. Clay model making

The making of a bronze statue or sculpture starts with preparing a full-sized clay (usually Plasticine) model of the sculpture. This allows the artist to have an idea about the overall shape and form of the desired sculpture before working with bronze, a much more expensive and difficult-to-work-with material.

2. Mould making

Once the clay model is ready, a mould of the original sculpture is made. This is done by carefully covering the clay model with plaster strips. This step is carried out in such a way that no air bubbles are formed. It takes up to 24 hours for the plaster to dry. Once dried, the plaster is then gently removed from the clay model. The removal happens easily because the inner mould is usually made of materials such as polyurethane rubber or silicone.

3. Wax filling and removal

In this step, molten bronze or wax is poured or filled into the mould in such a way that it gets even into the finest details. The mould is then turned upside down and left to cool and harden. When the wax has hardened, it is removed from the mould.

4. Chasing

Chasing is the process in which the artist refines the surface of the bronze statue using various tools to achieve fine details. This smoothens the surface and gives the statue a finished look. If some parts of the statue were moulded separately, they are now heated and attached.

5. Applying a patina

Bronze sculptures are known for their unique look or sheen on the surface. This may take several years to achieve naturally. Applying patina to bronze sculptures is an important step to make them appear attractive. Working with clay, plaster mould, and molten wax can be messy and therefore sculptors wear old clothes and remain careful. The entire process of making a bronze statue takes several months to complete. Bronze sculptures last for many centuries because of the high durability of the material. Many centuries down the line, these sculptures continue to be appreciated for their majestic beauty.