Padmavati, A Transformation of Lakshmi

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12 to 16 weeks
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$488 (20%)
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$1952
Item Code: EG69
Specifications:
South Indian Temple Wood Carving
Height: 60 inch
Width: 15 inch
Depth: 4 inch
Weight: 15.50 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

This excellent wood-piece, an accomplished example of South Indian sculptural art and its decorative cult, represents Padmavati, a transformation of the goddess Lakshmi, widely worshipped, independent of Vishnu, in the southern part of the country. As the mythological tradition has it, Lakshmi's form as Padmavati emerged when she re-united with Vishnu after the latter left Baikuntha searching her and settled on Tirumala hill of the Eastern Ghats. It is said that the part of the Eastern Ghats curved like the great serpent Shesh after Vishnu descended on it. Since then it became known as Sheshachala.

According to Padma Purana, for settling a dispute, sage Bhragu decided to visit Great Trio. He first went to Shiva, but busy in cajoling Parvati he did not pay attention to him. Brahma was rather rude, but Bhragu lost his temper when he found Vishnu asleep. The angry sage hit him on his chest with his leg. Vishnu, instead of punishing the sage, only apologised for being asleep. Lakshmi who was sleeping with him felt insulted and abandoned Vishnu and his Baikuntha. Unable to bear separation Vishnu also left Baikuntha and descended on the earth. After yugas, the cosmic ages, of repentance and yearning, one day Vishnu realised that like a lotus Lakshmi was sprouting within him and thus the two were re-united. This spiritual realisation of Vishnu was consecrated as Padmavati. She was thus part of Vishnu but also a divine entity by herself and is, hence worshipped with him but also independently. It is different with Lakshmi. Shrines devoted to her independently in the north are very few. In most other Vaishnava shrines, she shares sanctums with Vishnu, known as Narayana, and such shrines as Lakshmi-Narayana temples.

Like Lakshmi or Mahalakshmi, Padmavati also bestows boons and dispenses sorrows. The four-armed Padmavati, besides carrying in her right and left upper hands lotuses, holds her lower hands in abhaya and varada, the postures that grant fearlessness and bliss. This form is in exact adherence to her classical iconography, as the lotuses – two in her upper hands, a larger one under her feet, and the auspicious lotus motif on her lower left palm, are primarily the attributes that distinguish her from the other forms of Lakshmi. All forms of Lakshmi are auspicious and bring prosperity, success, growth, good health, abundance and fertility, but her form as Padmavati is considered dually auspicious, as the lotus, the symbol of creativity, multiplication and purity, more emphatically associated with this form, doubles its divinity.

This 15 inch wide and five feet tall statue is unique in its artistic character and symbolic thrust. It is a microbial representation of a temple, having almost all similar members, though substituted by those from sculptural art. A lotus base, substituting temple's plinth, has been as carefully carved as its apex. The podium is carried not only on beautifully shaped and adorned columns but also the celestial chauri-bearers support it with their hands. These chauri-bearers are not treated as subordinate figures. The artist has taken as much pain in chiseling their sharp features, modelling their figures – especially breasts, waists, gestures and entire anatomy, rendering ornamentation and arranging hair-style, as in rendering the main deity image.

The semi-circularly modelled platform has in its centre the lotus seat, and from its sides rises a beautiful and elaborately carved Prabhavali, the fire-arch, consisting of conventionalised but immensely delighting foliage and floral patterns. Each leaf, twig, bud and bird emerges like a wave and moves ahead. The deity figure is unique in modelling of form, plasticity, proportion and aesthetic visualisation. She has sharp features, emotionally charged face, sensually modelled breasts, narrow waist and a well-defined anatomy. Ornaments are few but elegantly rendered. Most interesting aspect of the figure is her lower garment comprising a sari. Besides the curling sash ends around the waist, it has ten plaits, each ending with a beautiful flower. The number of these plaits – 'ten', is quite conspicuous. The artist might have intended to suggest that Lakshmi, by whatever name, was Vishnu-priya in all his ten incarnations.

The statue, though it pursues the form of a votive image for sanctum, is a great masterpiece, in any medium, and by any parameters, but what makes it greater is its auspicious character coupled with its aesthetic quality. The divine aura of the image is not born of its sectarian links, but of the unique emotionality and mystic quality that enshrine its face. Wherever placed or consecrated, it is capable of elevating the entire ambience by adding to it the sacredness of a sanctum and classicism of an ancient art, such as Indian. As for the believing mind, scriptures claim that homage paid to the image of Padmavati once, brought to the devotee as much bliss as brought one thousand eight commemorations of any of her hymns.

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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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