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Ardhanarishvara (Shiva Shakti)

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Name: Ardhanarishvara (Shiva Shakti)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XL77
Price: 1195.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1374

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	XL77
	White Marble Statue
	Height: 18.2 inch
	Width: 8.2 inch
	Depth: 4.3 inch
	Weight 6.50 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 43 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Divine Union of Ardhanarishvara

This exquisite white marble statue embodies the profound concept of Ardhanarishvara, a composite and androgynous form of the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati. This representation is a powerful symbol of the masculine and feminine energies that are seen as intrinsically linked and necessary for the creation and sustenance of the universe. The name itself, Ardhanarishvara, translates to "the Lord who is half woman," and this deity signifies the ultimate balance between the dynamic and receptive, the active and the passive, forces that govern existence.

A Symbol of Cosmic Harmony and Creation

In Hindu mythology, Ardhanarishvara signifies that the universe is a manifestation of the union of Shiva (consciousness, the masculine principle) and Shakti (energy, the feminine principle). Without the interplay of these two fundamental forces, nothing can come into being. This deity teaches that the apparent duality of the world – such as male and female, good and evil, joy and sorrow – are in fact two sides of the same coin, inseparable and complementary. The form itself illustrates this principle; the right half of the deity represents Shiva, often depicted with a fierce yet serene countenance, adorned with a serpent and holding a trident. The left half represents Parvati, radiating grace and beauty, often shown with a lotus and a pot of jewels. This divine fusion is not just about gender but about the fundamental cosmic oneness that underlies all of creation. The careful detailing in this marble rendition captures the distinct yet unified attributes of these two powerful deities, offering a tangible representation of this complex philosophical idea.

Exquisite Craftsmanship in White Marble

Carved from pristine white marble, this statue is a testament to the artistry and devotion involved in its creation. The smooth, cool texture of the marble lends a divine aura to the sculpted form, while the meticulous hand-painting adds vibrant life to the details. The serene expression on the face, the intricate jewelry, the folds of the garments, and the symbolic attributes held in each hand are all rendered with remarkable precision. The serpent coiled around Shiva's neck, the crescent moon adorning his hair, and the lotus flower held by Parvati are all iconic elements that speak volumes of their divine identities and powers. The statue stands on a sturdy base, making it an ideal centerpiece for any altar, meditation space, or as a statement piece in your home decor, inviting contemplation and reverence. It serves as a beautiful reminder of the inherent unity and balance that exists within ourselves and the cosmos.

How to clean and maintain marble statues?

Marble has been a preferred material for sculptors and artists for more than a thousand years. It is a rock that undergoes metamorphism which causes recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains. Marble comes in various colors, designs, and dimensions. Pure white marble is the most preferred type of marble for making sculptures and statues since time immemorial. White marble is especially used for sculpting stone monumental sculptures since ancient times. The natural shine and luster of the carbonate crystals of white marble give a lavish and beautiful appearance to the statue.

Marble stone statues are highly durable and can even withstand harsh weather conditions without getting corroded, therefore, they can be kept indoors or outdoors without getting damaged or weathered. Although these statues can last for many decades, their regular care and cleaning are essential to increase their longevity and beautiful appearance.

The simplest and basic way of cleaning a marble stone statue is to clear away dirt accumulated on the surface. Outdoor statues are especially prone to biological growth and dirt build-up that may take away their natural beauty. You may rinse the statue with warm water and mild soap to clean the dirt as much as possible. You can use a sponge or cotton cloth to scrape off dirt accumulated in crevices and cracks.

You must never allow water to stand on the surface of the statue for a long time. Standing water gets absorbed by the marble’s porous surface which results in its discoloration. Therefore, it is always recommended to dry-clean the statue with a towel or damp cloth.

Applying beeswax, a non-toxic product, on the surface of the marble statue offers protection against staining, dirt, and pollutants. It also polishes the surface and gives a natural shine to the statue.

Marble statues need periodical cleaning to maintain their flawless look. However, harsh and deep cleaning can result in making the statue look dull. If your marble statue is withering away, it is recommended to take the help of a professional cleaner. Marble is a delicate material and therefore needs proper care.

Marble Mastery Unveiled: The Artisan's Symphony in Sculpting Timeless Beauty

Marble is a soft and delicate metamorphic rock derived from limestone. It is composed mainly of recrystallized carbonate minerals. The appealing appearance of marble gives rise to the making of beautiful sculptures and statues. Jaipur city of Rajasthan, India, is considered the capital of marble carving where various marble idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are made. These magnificent statues are carved by skilled sculptors out of the purest white marble. The slight softness of white marble makes it easier to be carved and chiseled into any desirable form or shape. Another impressive feature of marble is that the calcite has a low refractive index that allows light to penetrate the stone before getting scattered out. This results in bringing a translucent appearance and luster to the marble sculpture. This is the reason why most sculptors prefer to work with marble for sculpting life-size statues that require intricate details, evoking a certain realism to the work.

There is a detailed or step-by-step process of developing the desired structure of a sculpture from marble stone. These steps are:

1. Clay mould

Most sculptors prefer to sculpt a preliminary model out of clay or wax to translate its complex and intricate details into the final stone sculpture with the use of calipers or a pointing machine. The plasticity of the clay mould helps sculptors capture the success of the final sculpture before carving the stone. The clay is moulded into the desired shape or form and this acts as a rough

2. Roughing out

The second step of carving or sculpting is to remove large portions of unwanted marble stone. This task is done by using a special tool known as a point chisel. The pointed end of this tool is useful for splitting the large stone and removing big chunks that are not wanted. Usually, a mallet (a tool similar to a hammer) is used to transfer energy through the chisel to shatter the stone evenly and accurately.

3. Refining the figure

Once the sculptors have determined the general shape of the sculpture, a toothed chisel or claw chisel is used to refine the stone. These tools create parallel lines in the stone to add texture to the figure. During this stage, the rough block of stone has now changed into the general shape of the sculpture.

4. Adding the details

The sculptor is now ready to carry out detailed work to develop a more refined form of the sculpture. Tools such as rasps and rifflers are then used to enhance the shape into its final form. These tools finely create details such as frills or folds of clothing or locks of hair.

5. Polishing

This is the last step in marble sculpting in which the sculptor uses materials such as sandpaper to bring out a natural sheen to the sculpture. The sandpaper is rubbed against the surface to make it smoother and flawless. Sometimes, tin oxide is also used to make the sculpture appear glossy and more translucent.

Marble sculptures are highly durable and can last for many decades if maintained and taken care of properly. They are also extremely weather-resistant and therefore, can be kept outdoors or indoors. The exquisite beauty of marble statues elevates the aura of the space and emanates positivity all around.