Lord Ganesha, child of Shiva-Parvati, is made of equal parts innocence and equal parts wisdom. While in some iconographies He is depicted as the veritable baala-deva (child-deity), the murti of Him that you see on this page highlights the wise side of Ganesha. With His portly belly and the chubby child’s limbs intact, it depicts Him seated in lalitasana upon a giant lotus bloom.
Sculpted entirely from wood, the natural color palette of this composition features creamy ochres, burnt oranges, and ivory creme tones. A richly engraved crown on His brow, and adornments down the length of His torso as well as all six arms (for He is the shashabhujadhari) and feet. The foot of the pendant leg rests on a minuscule lotus at the foot of His throne, while on the other side is His vahana, the mouse, offering up a laddoo.
From the plinth beneath Ganesha’s throne to the prabhavali (aureole) that forms a temple around Him, these aspects of the work convey the sacredness and the divinity of the seated figure. The Kirtimukham at the zenith of the prabhavali makes as if to swallow the Lord’s crown, whilst He remains unperturbed, gazing straight ahead in all gravity.
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.
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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