A compactly carved figure of Devi Lakshmi. Poised within a makeshift temple on a double-layered lotus-bloom plinth.
From the iconography to the style of the surrounding temple structure, this composition borrows heavily from Hoysala aesthetics.
It is the name given to the art and architecture that flourished under the patronage of the Hoysala rulers in South India.
The tradition dates back to the 11th through the 14th centuries, but has been kept alive by the finest South Indian artisans of today.
The elaborate sculpture that you see on this page is a fine example of the same. Handpicked for its iconographical consistency and the precision of the handiwork, it depicts the popular Devi Lakshmi seated in ardha-padmasana. From Her long limbs and Her svelte torso to the features of Her fine face, there is life and beauty and an otherworldly quality to Her presence.
Her straight-gazed, almost ferocious composure of countenance adds to the gravity of the composition. A latticeworked platform, down the frontal midline of which is a pair of gaja (elephants) balanced on a wildly curving sprig of vine. Legs the shape of thickly curving vine, found in the walls and templetops of many ancient structures in India.
Densely carved pillars of considerable girth, from the tops of which emerge a layered Kirtimukham arch. Ornate as it is, the arch itself counts as a standalone work of art. Note the miniature Kirtimukham motif on the front of the Devi’s tapering crown.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
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