62" Super Large Perumal with Garuda and Hanuman | Handmade | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai (Shipped by Sea)

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Sri Vishnu Perumal in this Panchaloha statue is standing on an inverted lotus in the “Sampada-sthanaka” posture, which magnificently brings out the balance and oceanic stillness embodied by Bhagwan Vishnu. An elongated Kiritamukuta (Vaishnava crown) with delicate chains frames the angelic visage of Lord Perumal, which is adorned by a U-shaped tilak (auspicious mark), elegantly curving eyebrows, lotus eyes, sharp nose, and full lips. Vishnu’s distinctive Makarakrita (Makara-shaped) Kundala (earrings), intricately sculpted Ratna-mala (jeweled necklace), Skandha-aabhushana (shoulder ornament), Baajubanda (arm bands), bracelets, Udarabandha (belly belt), anklet and Makara-studded girdle (waist belt) fitting the stature of the Lord of Universe Vishnu are attributes that further beautify this arresting Perumal bronze. Highlighting Vishnu’s impressive physique is a three-stranded Yajnopavita (sacred thread) that flows on his torso as three rivers meandering across an unending (Ananta) landscape, and the Srivatsa, a triangular motif on the right side of Vishnu’s chest that represents Sri Lakshmi.

Veiling the regal Yali (horse and lion composite) on the aureole pillars of this Panchaloha Vishnu icon are Sri Hanuman and Garuda, ornamented with fine jewelry, standing with their hands folded in a devotional mood. Lord Hanuman, the famed devotee of Bhagawan Rama is connected to all the incarnations of the preserver Lord on Earth, as his divine aid in fulfilling the duties of protecting Srishti. The king of birds, Garuda, on the other hand, is associated with the heavenly realm of Vishnu- Vaikuntha, serving as its guardian and Bhagwan Vishnu’s mount.

On the pedestal of this bronze, the Perumal murti are the miniature idols of Dashavatara- the ten incarnations of Sri Vishnu, taken by the preserver Lord when his children were troubled by the forces of evil and faced the danger of eradication. The first row depicts- Kurma (tortoise) avatar, Narasimha (the man-lion form), Matsya avatar (fish incarnation), and Varaha (wild boar-faced) incarnation. The second row on the base of the pedestal presents the incarnations in separate arched brackets, housing- Vamana (dwarf form), Parashurama, Rama, Balarama (Krishna’s elder brother), Sri Krishna and Hayagriva (horse-faced) incarnation. Accompanied by his 10 incarnations, guardians, and devotees- Hanuman and Garuda, and Sri Lakshmi residing on his chest, this four-armed, Chaturbhuja roopa of Perumal Sri Vishnu in pure Panchaloha bronze is an absolute and aesthetic representation of Chola bronze iconography, that entrancingly assures the heart of the expansiveness and powers of Lord Perumal. 

Sculpting Dreams in Metal: The Enigmatic Alchemy of Panchaloha Bronze Masterpieces

Bronze statues and sculptures are known for their exquisite beauty and the divinity that they emit all around the space. Bronze is considered an excellent metal alloy, composed primarily of copper and tin. Many properties make it suitable for sculpting even the most intricate and complex structures. There was a period in history, known as the “Bronze Age'', in which most sculptors preferred to work with Bronze as it was considered the hardest metal. Bronze is especially appreciated for its durability, ductility, and corrosion-resistance properties. India is especially known for its elegant workmanship of skills working with Bronze. The artisans of a town named Swamimalai in South India have been following a tradition of bronze murti making for ages. They use a special material known as Panchaloha bronze to make fascinating icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. All of us are allured by the beauty of bronze statues and sculptures but there goes a tough hand in casting those masterpieces with little or no imperfections. Since it is an extremely elaborate process, a sculptor needs to be highly skilled in making bronze antiques. The most common technique for casting bronze sculptures that has been followed since ancient times is the “Lost-wax” process which involves many steps:

1. Clay model making

The making of a bronze statue or sculpture starts with preparing a full-sized clay (usually Plasticine) model of the sculpture. This allows the artist to have an idea about the overall shape and form of the desired sculpture before working with bronze, a much more expensive and difficult-to-work-with material.

2. Mould making

Once the clay model is ready, a mould of the original sculpture is made. This is done by carefully covering the clay model with plaster strips. This step is carried out in such a way that no air bubbles are formed. It takes up to 24 hours for the plaster to dry. Once dried, the plaster is then gently removed from the clay model. The removal happens easily because the inner mould is usually made of materials such as polyurethane rubber or silicone.

3. Wax filling and removal

In this step, molten bronze or wax is poured or filled into the mould in such a way that it gets even into the finest details. The mould is then turned upside down and left to cool and harden. When the wax has hardened, it is removed from the mould.

4. Chasing

Chasing is the process in which the artist refines the surface of the bronze statue using various tools to achieve fine details. This smoothens the surface and gives the statue a finished look. If some parts of the statue were moulded separately, they are now heated and attached.

5. Applying a patina

Bronze sculptures are known for their unique look or sheen on the surface. This may take several years to achieve naturally. Applying patina to bronze sculptures is an important step to make them appear attractive. Working with clay, plaster mould, and molten wax can be messy and therefore sculptors wear old clothes and remain careful. The entire process of making a bronze statue takes several months to complete. Bronze sculptures last for many centuries because of the high durability of the material. Many centuries down the line, these sculptures continue to be appreciated for their majestic beauty.