It is at Bodh Gaya that the erstwhile Shakyamuni attained Buddhahood. For years together He remained seated under the Bodhi tree, steeped in seedless contemplation or samadhi of the highest order.
There he had arrived after decades of asceticism and mendicancy and austerities, a life diametrically opposite to the one His father the King Suddhodana had given Him. There is no place like Bodh Gaya, and it is from there that the medium of this sculpture has been sourced.
Gambhar wood is an especially smooth medium and has a flaxen appearance. It is a great medium to carve the placid Buddha out of. The sculpture that you see on this page depicts the contemplative (dhyani) Buddha, a theme loved by devotional artisans in the subcontinent.
He is clad in a one-shouldered robe and seated on a lotus bed, which is poised on a solid quadrilateral pedestal. His hands are in the abhaya and dharmachakra mudra respectively, while His legs are arranged in the perfect padmasana.
The face of the Buddha is hands-down the most beauteous aspect of this composition. Slightly tilted forward, eyes shut entirely, and a definitively self-contained composure. Zoom in on the same to take in the handsomeness of His princely features and the lengthened earlobes which are a sign of transcendental wisdom.
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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