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MADE IN INDIA.

The Dancer Apsara

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Name: The Dancer Apsara
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZAC65
Price: 515.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$515

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Specifications

	ZAC65
	South Indian Temple Wood Carving
	Height: 25 inch
	Width: 10.5 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 4 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 40 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted with 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.

Celestial Grace Carved in Wood

Behold a magnificent testament to the artistry of South Indian temple carvers – a captivating wooden sculpture that embodies the ethereal beauty and divine grace of an Apsara. The Apsaras, celestial nymphs of Hindu mythology, are renowned for their enchanting beauty, mesmerizing dance, and captivating musical talent. Born from the churning of the ocean of milk, they are eternally youthful and possess an innate ability to shapeshift, often appearing as clouds or water. They serve as attendants to Indra, the King of Gods, and their dances are believed to possess the power to delight both gods and mortals alike.

Depiction of an Apsara

This sculpture meticulously captures the essence of an Apsara. She is depicted in a dynamic dance pose, her body gracefully curved, her limbs poised with elegant fluidity. Her elaborate attire, adorned with intricate carvings, reflects the opulence and splendor associated with the celestial realm. Note the detailed rendering of her jewelry, including bracelets, armlets, and anklets. Her expression conveys serenity and joy, reflecting the divine bliss that characterizes the Apsaras. The gentle tilt of her head and the subtle smile on her lips invite the viewer to share in her celestial dance. Her hand holds a Lotus flower, a sign of purity and beauty. The artist has captured an essence of serenity in the details of the sculpture.

Craftsmanship and Artistry

This piece is a showcase of South Indian craftsmanship. The entire sculpture is hand-carved from a single piece of wood, a testament to the skill and dedication of the artisan. Each detail, from the intricate folds of her garment to the delicate features of her face, has been meticulously crafted. The rich, warm tone of the wood adds to the sculpture's visual appeal, exuding a sense of timeless elegance and tranquility. The wood carving embodies both the traditional South Indian craft and the beauty of the Apsara from Hindu mythology. Every feature, from the detailing in the lotus flower to the expression on the dancer's face, is carved with attention and care. This makes the piece a treasure and a showcase of craft and heritage. Bring the beauty of Hindu mythology into your home, perfect for display, and as a conversation starter for friends and family.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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