The fairly elongated face with slightly smiling eyes faithfully follows the Chola aesthetic canons. A sharp nose is followed by the sensuous lips, the lower one being the thicker of the two. The fish-like eyes have earned the Goddess the epithet of 'Minakshi,' meaning the 'fish-eyed one.'
Of her four hands, the two in the front grant the boon of fearlessness and abundance respectively, while the rear arms very gracefully grip two full-blown lotuses in their delicate fingers. A number of marvellous chokers adorn her neck, and a long necklace falls over her taut bosom, where a thin band restrains these founts of abundant generosity which sustain the entire living world.
The Goddess wears a dhoti which clings to her legs, outlining their sturdy litheness. Holding this lower drape together is a waistband, at the center of which is very skilfully carved the Kirtimukha, a symbol of auspiciousness. An array of tassels extends down the middle, each terminating in a lotus bud. The navel rests prominently high on the abdomen, with a couple of incised arcs crowning it in a sort of semi-halo.
Lakshmi is adorned with a towering crown known in iconographical texts as the 'Kiritamukuta.' This is literally and metaphorically the highest of all crowns. The shape is that of a rather conical cylinder, similar to a mitre, ending in a knot or point. When worn by a goddess, this signifies that she has a rank among the highest of all deities.
The artist has very deftly demonstrated his talent, and the entire sculpture is a maze of intricate carving, with curves being the dominant motif, whether it be the actual body of Lakshmi, or the labyrinth of swirling curls falling over each other to ornament her. Sinuous planes accentuate her inherent lush rotundity and fascinating contours confine her figure.
This sculpture is cast in an alloy known since ancient times as pancha-loha (five metals). These are:
a). Copper (the chief ingredient)
b). Silver
c). Gold
d). Brass
e). White Lead
Click Here to View the Reverse of this sculpture
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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