49" Large Wooden Standing Goddess Lakshmi Idol with Kirtimukha Prabhavali

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The wooden standing goddess Lakshmi statue and the marvelous Kirtimukha (face of glory) aureole surrounding her are placed on a relatively modern-looking wood platform whose simplicity lets the eye focus on the intricate work of the icon. Made from teakwood, the Maa Lakshmi wood statue depicts her standing gracefully on an open lotus whose petals appear strikingly realistic.

The goddess is four-armed, with her two secondary hands holding bunches of three lotus buds, her primary left hand is in the gesture of giving boons (Varada Mudra) and her right hand is raised in the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness). Rounded and plump, Devi Lakshmi’s face glows like the full moon and is adorned by a royal crown that is complemented by intricately carved jeweled ornaments.

With her weight elegantly shifted on her right leg, Maa Lakshmi in this wooden statue is the very picture of feminine delicateness, a picture which is enhanced by the dhoti (lower body garment) decorated with strings of pearls which are defined using symmetrically placed tiny bumps on her attire.

The regal feel of this wooden Maa Lakshmi statue is furthered by the elaborate girdle and U-shaped waist ornament that hangs on the obverse and reverse of the icon, embellished by floral and paisley motifs. Vegetation, symbolic of life-affirming forces spurt from the sides of the goddess Lakshmi's wood statue reinforcing her connections to the realm of fecundity and auspiciousness.

Another recurring theme with goddess Lakshmi is that of royalty. Her potential that can bestow upon her devotee the wealth of Indra (king of gods) is exalted in texts that call her “Rajya Sri” (Sri-Lakshmi who confers state and stateliness). The manifestation of Devi’s sway over monarchs is conveyed in this wooden standing Lakshmi statue by the grand Kirtimukha aura with numerous detailed motifs carved over it.

In the center of the imposing aureole is the face of the Kirtimukha demon with awe-inspiring features- bulging eyes, flared nostrils, sharp fangs, and a long, lolling tongue. A shapely arch carved with a flower pattern on the inner portion and curling vines on the outer part appears to be simultaneously sprouting from the mouths of the Makara (composite mythical animal, amalgamation of crocodile, eagle, and elephant) and Kirtimukha. The Prabhavali (aureole) is supported by two sturdy Yali (lion-elephant composite animal) pillars, in whose middle section you can observe a unique image of the Yali standing atop an elephant who with an upraised trunk is paying his adulations.

The Kirtimukha, the Makara, and the Yali are traditional elements associated with royalty and divinity in Indian art. Surrounded by these ethereal creatures, Devi Lakshmi in this wooden sculpture is the Mahishi (queen mother) whose opulent presence is sought by Sri-Hari Vishnu himself.

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.

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.

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.

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.