The Ardhanarishvara is a unique fixture of Indian mythology. The name is an amalgamation of the words, ‘ardha’, which means half, ‘nari’, which means woman, and ‘ishvara’, which roughly translates to god. Ardhanrishvara of the Hindu pantheon is a half-man-half-woman deity, as could be seen in the murti on this page.
Ardhanrishvara is a twin composite of Shiva va Parvati, purusha (the energy principle) va prakrti (the matter principle), the masculine and the feminine. It is the deified personification of birth and srshti (creative projection). This whitewood sculpture captures the beauty and meaning of Ardhanarishvara to perfection.
The lustre of the relatively pale whitewood medium conveys a sense of divine glamour. The androgynous face looks on with straight-gazed eyes. From the zenith of Ardhanrishvara’s crown to the toe, the confluence of mother and father has been executed with remarkable eloquence.
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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