In visual arts a woman adorning her before a mirror or with a mirror in hand, or just holding a mirror, has been identified as Madhya-nayika, one skilled in attracting her lover by her well made-up beauty. Sculptures of women with mirrors in their hands, obviously illustrating the timeless classical tradition of Nayika-bheda, are all times masterpieces and great attraction for viewers at temple-sites like the globally known Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Konark in Orissa and many minor sites like Bhoramadeva in Chhattisgarh, Sohania in Madhya Pradesh among others. Not merely a theme from old classical tradition, the modeling of the figure, revealing great ethnicity, has otherwise too medieval character and flavour of bygone days. She looks more like a loving creature from the world of myths where for gods’ errand such beauties used to descend on the earth from the land of gods and seduced and corrupted holy beings.
An example of timeless feminine beauty this brilliant masterpiece has been rendered using finest kind of brass capable not only of revealing fine details but also the figure’s mind. As suggests her lavish jewellery covering her figure from head to toe, the represented lady might be a courtesan or a rich woman aspiring to please her lover and win her love. The craftsman has conceived her figure with good height and in pursuance of classical standards for modeling its every part, the anatomy and iconography. As have prescribed these texts and traditions, he has conceived her figure with broad hips, subdued belly with folded and recessed navel, sensuously modeled breasts swelled to exceed the nose-line, slender long arms with fine long fingers, shoulders being as wide her hips, an elegantly moulded neck with mild folds, round face and broad forehead. As much sensuously has been conceived her iconography. The figure has been conceived with mesmerizing eyes, large and pulsating with life, a rare thing not seen in metal or stone statues of any period. They are contained within the partially slanting eyelids under elegantly trimmed eyebrows. Her alluringly swelled and a lotus-bud like glowing cheeks, well aligned protruding chin, and sharp pointed nose create in their centre a subdued zone which the figure’s sensuously tempting and excellently modeled lips occupy.
The statue proper has under it an elevated three-tiered pedestal consisting of diversely designed mouldings and lotus-courses. It has a hexagonal base consisting of three courses of variously designed mouldings that on the bottom, plain one, above it, fluted and elegantly chamfered, and on the top of this base-structure, a thin plain moulding. Other two tiers, middle and upper ones, are perfect circles. The middle one consists of a beautifully trimmed circular moulding which houses on it a large inverted lotus. This lotus moulding has in its centre an elevated circular platform. The image of the Nayika has been installed on it. The statue has been exquisitely ornamented using a wide range of jewellery adorning every part of the figure : hair, ears, neck, shoulders, breasts, arms, wrists, belly, waist, feet … Though her ensemble consists of just an ‘antariya’ and a ‘stana-pata’ – breasts-band, beautifully adorned they reveal rare magnificence and beauty.
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.
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