This image of the goddess seeks to add to this aspect of the motherhood a bunch of spikes of corn carried in her normal right hand and a parrot, symbolic of all living beings, perching on it. The parrot, by blending into its being the animal’s physiognomy and the human mind’s eagerness to know and communicate, represents both the human and the animal worlds, that is, the life in total which Parvati sustains. The attributes : a goad and noose that the goddess is carrying in her upper hands, and the multi-bladed deadly weapon, a kind of ‘vajra’ or thunderbolt, that is held in her normal left hand – the instruments of war and evil-elimination, comprise the essence of the iconography of Durga who is the goddess of battlefield. The spiral crown with a cogged wheel and ‘kalasha’ finial type apex, which the goddess is wearing, is typically Vaishnava in character, though it gains its height along flames-like motifs on all sides, and has attached to it a prominent crescent motif, the attributes of Shiva. The character of the fire-arch, with a prominent ‘kirtimukha’ motif atop, is a feature characteristic to South Indian images.
The image of the goddess has been installed on a three-tiered pedestal comprising a rectangular base, a large roundish lotus laid over it, and finally, a roundish thick cushion-like moulding atop. The tapered lower half of the base has been designed with lotus motifs, and the upper-most moulding is plain. On the backside of the pedestal is the most elaborate ‘prabhavali’ with usual base designed as architectural columns, a circular middle, and a ‘kirtimukha’ motif atop. The image has been sensuously modeled with large protruding breasts, and with subdued belly, voluminous hips and other aesthetically conceived parts such as early texts on divine iconography prescribe. The goddess has been conceived with sharp features : large eyes, pointed nose, mildly smiling lips, pointed chin and a roundish face, a slender figure with perfectly balanced anatomy and with the supreme grace. Lavishly bejeweled goddess is putting on just an ‘antariya’ – lower wear, though magnificently pleated and embellished with laces of pearls. The frontal decorative ‘patta’ – band, from under her legs suspends down to the pedestal’s lotus base.
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.
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