12" Shiva-head In Brass | Handmade | Made In India

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

This statue represents Shiva’s head installed on a circular pedestal having a look similar to 'yoni-pitha', an essential iconic component in Shiva’s linga manifestation. A Shiva’s head, so cast that it generates the feeling of being a form of ‘linga’, is not strange in Shaivite line. In Shiva’s iconography the linga-form and the form of his anthropomorphic head often alternate each other for in scriptures and Indian tradition his both forms – Linga and Ber, Linga being his formless aspect – the ante-form of all forms or an entity beyond form, and Ber, his anthropomorphic, are seen doctrinally as the aspects of One, more so the aspects of Linga – the Formless. Hence, the tradition has seen Linga more often as Mukha-linga – phallus with anthropomorphic face, having a single face or even five. The Shaivite tradition perceives Linga as Shiva’s ultimate manifestation for while an anthropomorphic form has just one face and one back, Linga is only a face, each of the four sides, as also its apex, is a face. Thus, while a Linga icon is seen as having a face, an anthropomorphic head of Shiva, as this statue, is sometimes seen as resembling a Linga form.

As is obvious, in his statue of Shiva the artist has sought to represent an anthropomorphic vision of Shiva’s face, however a towering crown having graded ascendance substituting his matted hair, resembling a Vaishnava model, an element foreign to Shaivite cult, seems to have been added for imparting to the iconography of Shiva’s head linga-like dimensions. Though partially, the artist has retained the form of 'yoni-pitha' while conceiving the form of pedestal for his statue. The use of deep black paint is also meaningful. Representing abyssal darkness in which all forms dissolve it dilutes entire iconicity and shifts the eye from features to figure’s dimensions, particularly its rise. The front-facing crown’s vertical decorative band comprising flames-like motifs, twelve in number, might have been conceived as symbolising twelve ‘Jyoti-lingas’, again linking the statue with Linga iconography.

The face in the statue is taller in relation to its breadth; however, a crown taller than the face dominates it. The figure has sharp pointed nose, large eye with prominent eye-balls, though closed as in meditative trance, arched eye-brows extending across the breadth of the face, prominent cheeks, pointed chin, cute lips, a proportionate neck and broad forehead with tripunda mark and tri-netra. There enshrine on the face, besides a kind of glow and tenderness, inner contentment, intrinsic bliss and spiritual serenity. It appears to be simply wondrous how in a tough and uncompromising medium like brass the artist should have packed such tender dimensions and so much of meaningfulness.

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.

---

Free Shipping. Delivered by to all international destinations within 3 to 5 days, fully insured.

---

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.

 

• The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.

 

• Another way is to cleanse the statue with mild soap, warm water, and a cotton cloth. You must go to every inch of the statue and even to the crevices and cracks. After this, clean the article with a dry towel to wipe off pools of water left on the surface.

 

• To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.

• 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.