An ornate lalitasana Shiva. Carved from teakwood in a rich proportion of detail. On a throne decorated with lotus petals He sits, with the avidyaroopi Apasmara struggling beneath the single foot of the pendant leg. A miniscule Ganesha sculpture in His musical form has been carved on to the edge of the throne, in the same stance as that of His father.
The teakwood medium lends this sculpture a rich, earthy tone. It is a deep ochre colour, leaning heavily towards brown. Hints of texture along the face, the torso, and the limbs. In the posterior left hand of the chaturbhujadhari is a quadruped. This is indicative of the Pashupatinath roopa of Lord Shiva.
It takes a great deal of skill on the part of the artisan to work with teakwood. It is particularly evident in the sections of vine framing Shiva’s face, as well as those that spread all around His hips and thighs. The same goes for the throne upon which He is seated.
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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