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Dancing Goddess Saraswati with Peacock

$1181
Specifications
XT80
South Indian Temple Wood Carving
Height: 36 inch
Width: 18.3 inch
Depth: 5.4 inch
Weight 11.93 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 40 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted with 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.

The Goddess of Knowledge, Music, and Art

Behold this exquisite wooden sculpture, a testament to the rich artistic traditions of South Indian temples. This intricate carving depicts the revered Hindu goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. A symbol of purity and creativity, Saraswati is the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. She represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Saraswati is often depicted seated or standing upon a lotus flower, a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and transcendence. Her four arms hold significant objects that represent her divine attributes. The Veena, a stringed musical instrument, signifies her mastery over music and the arts, and the harmony of the universe. In her other hands, she holds prayer beads and a book, representing her role as the bestower of wisdom and knowledge.

A Temple Art Tradition

This piece exemplifies the distinct style of South Indian temple wood carvings. The attention to detail is striking, from the ornate jewelry adorning the goddess to the meticulously crafted feathers of the peacock, her sacred vahana or vehicle. The peacock, in Hindu mythology, is associated with beauty, royalty, and wisdom. It is believed that Saraswati uses the peacock as her mount to travel throughout the world, spreading knowledge and inspiration. The wood is transformed into a divine figure through painstaking effort, following principles laid down in ancient treatises. The carving is not just decoration, it is an act of devotion, a connection to the divine.

Invocation and Inspiration

In Hindu culture, Saraswati is often invoked before undertaking any intellectual pursuit, whether it be studying, writing, or engaging in artistic endeavors. Her blessings are sought to bring clarity, inspiration, and success. By bringing this carving into your home, you invite the energy of Saraswati into your space, creating an environment conducive to learning, creativity, and spiritual growth. This sculpture serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of knowledge and the importance of cultivating artistic expression in one’s life. Allow this timeless piece to inspire you on your own path to wisdom and creativity.

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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