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Return within 7 days of
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Fully Insured
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100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Buddhist Altar Table Painted with Auspicious Symbols

$374
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Specifications
RD81
Wood Sculpture
Weight 3.44 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Sacred Space

Invite serenity and tradition into your home with this meticulously crafted wooden altar table. More than just a decorative piece, it serves as a tangible link to ancient Buddhist practices and a visual reminder of the path to enlightenment. Imagine it gracing your meditation room or acting as a focal point in your living space, exuding an aura of peace and mindful contemplation. The raised platform design offers a dedicated space to place offerings, statues of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, or revered teachers. It becomes a canvas for your personal devotion, a physical representation of your spiritual journey. The presence of such an altar encourages daily practice, fostering a sense of mindfulness and tranquility in our often-hectic lives.

Symbols of Blessings

The painted designs adorning this table are steeped in symbolism, drawing from a rich tapestry of Buddhist iconography. The intricate floral patterns, likely lotus blossoms, represent purity of body, speech, and mind. The lotus, arising from muddy waters, symbolizes the potential for enlightenment that exists within each of us, no matter our current circumstances. The stylized cloud patterns carry significant weight within Buddhist cosmology. Often depicted as billowing formations, they represent auspiciousness, abundance, and the interconnectedness of all things. They can also allude to the heavenly realms and the compassionate presence of enlightened beings, who are said to reside among the clouds. The geometric design suggests a maze, which may allude to the journey of life, finding our way out of the maze and into enlightenment. The color palette of this altar table further amplifies its symbolic meaning. The use of gold or yellow often symbolizes enlightenment, wisdom, and spiritual wealth. The darker background emphasizes the luminosity of the gold, allowing the auspicious symbols to radiate with power and clarity.

Cultural Context

Altars hold a central position in Buddhist practice, serving as a bridge between the mundane and the sacred. They provide a focal point for meditation, prayer, and offerings, creating a space where practitioners can connect with the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha. The placement and arrangement of items on the altar are often carefully considered, reflecting the specific tradition and individual intentions of the practitioner. In some Buddhist traditions, it is believed that the act of offering, whether it be flowers, incense, or light, generates positive karma and cultivates generosity, a virtue essential for spiritual growth. The altar, therefore, is not simply a static display but a dynamic space of action, devotion, and transformation. This wooden altar table represents a continuation of this ancient tradition, offering you the opportunity to create your own personal sanctuary of peace and spiritual practice.

Sculpting Serenity: Unveiling the Art of Crafting Wood Statues

Wood has been a preferred material for sculptures and statues since ancient times. It is easy to work with than most metals and stones and therefore requires less effort to shape it into any desired shape or form. The texture of the wood gives an element of realism to the sculpture. The selection of an appropriate wood type is necessary for carving. Woods that are too resinous or coniferous are not considered good for carving as their fiber is very soft and thus lacks strength. On the other hand, wood such as Mahogany, Oakwood, Walnut wood, Weet cherry wood, etc., are preferred by sculptors because their fiber is harder. A wood sculptor uses various tools such as a pointed chisel in one hand and a mallet in another to bring the wood to the desired measurement and to make intricate details on it. A carving knife is used to cut and smooth the wood. Other tools such as the gouge, V-tool, and coping saw also serve as important tools in wood carving. Although the wood carving technique is not as complex and tough as stone carving or metal sculpting, nonetheless, a wood carver requires a high level of skills and expertise to create a stunning sculpture.

1. Selecting the right wood

The process of wood carving begins with selecting a chunk of wood that is required according to the type and shape of the statue to be created by the sculptor. Both hardwoods and softwoods are used for making artistic pieces, however, hardwoods are preferred more than softer woods because of their durability and longevity. But if heavy detailing is to be done on the statue, wood with fine grain would be needed as it would be difficult to work with hardwood.
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2. Shaping the wood

Once the wood type is selected, the wood carver begins the general shaping process using gouges of various sizes. A gouge is a tool having a curved cutting edge which is useful in removing large unwanted portions of wood easily without splitting the wood. The sculptor always carves the wood across the grain of the wood and not against it.
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3. Adding detailing

When a refined shape of the statue is obtained, it is time for making details on the statue using different tools. This is achieved by using tools such as a veiner to make and a V-tool to create decorative and sharp cuts.
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4. Surface finishing

Once finer details have been added, the sculptor is ready to smoothen the surface and give it a perfect finish. Tools such as rasps and rifflers are used to get a smooth surface. The finer polishing is obtained by rubbing the surface with sandpaper. If a textured surface is required, this step is skipped. Finally, to protect the statue from excessive dirt accumulation, the sculptor applies natural oils such as walnut or linseed oil all over it. This also brings a natural sheen to the statue.
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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.

 

  • Wood tends to expand and contract even after it has been processed, thus it is always recommended to keep the wooden sculptures in rooms with little humidity. Excess moisture can harm your masterpiece.

 

  • Periodical dusting of the finished piece is necessary to maintain its beauty as dust accumulation on the surface takes away the shine of the sculpture. You can use a clean and soft cloth or a hairbrush for this purpose.

 

  • You must avoid applying any chemical-based solutions that may damage the wood from the inside. Instead, you can apply lemon oil or coconut oil using a cotton rag to the sculpture to bring out its natural shine. Lemon oil also helps to clean any stains on the sculpture.

 

  • Applying a layer of beeswax protects the wood from sun damage and hides even the smallest imperfections on the wood.

 

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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