“The Hellenistic free-standing Buddhas are the most beautiful, and probably the most ancient, of the Buddhas”, marked the art historian, Foucher, talking about the aesthetic refinement of the Gandhara representations of stand-alone Buddha sculptures, in which Tathagata attains a quality of liveliness, mixed with an oceanic stillness.
This wooden Buddha statue, towering over four feet translates the stone-standing Buddha iconography into the material of wood, depicting classic attributes such as beautifully coiled hair, stillness of pose, wet appearance of the garment, and a tranquil animation on Buddha’s face. Wood as a material allows the sculptors to experiment with the Gandhara features, which are enhanced in this statue with the use of splendid colors.
Buddha is covered from head to toe in a shimmering rose gold, which brings a quality of splendor, symbolizing the spiritual regalia of the Shakya prince, amplified by the golden filigree elements creating lyrical vegetation motifs on the robes and lotus base of Buddha. The finesse in the carving of the statue can be appreciated in the gentle flow of Buddha’s garment wrapped around his hands.
Mirroring the delicateness of lotuses, Buddha’s hands are positioned in the gestures of Abhaya and Varada, telling his followers to remove fear from their hearts, and follow the boon of Enlightened wisdom that Buddha eternally bestows on them.
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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