Dashavatara Panel - Lord Vishnu's Ten Incarnations

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Dashavatara Panel - Lord Vishnu's Ten Incarnations

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Name: Dashavatara Panel - Lord Vishnu's Ten Incarnations
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEO307
Price: 435.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$408

$544

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Specifications

	ZEO307
	South Indian Temple Wood Carving
	Height: 12 inch
	Width: 1.7 inch
	Depth: 47.7 inch
	Weight 6.80 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 40 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 Cycle of Incarnations

This exquisite South Indian wood carving captures the essence of the Dashavatara, the ten principal avatars or incarnations of Lord Vishnu. In Hindu philosophy, Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe, and he descends to Earth in various forms to restore dharma and combat evil whenever righteousness declines. This panel serves as a magnificent visual representation of these crucial interventions in cosmic history. Each figure is meticulously carved, showcasing the rich tradition of South Indian temple art, where skilled artisans imbue wood with divine stories and profound spiritual narratives.

Whispers of Mythology

The Dashavatara cycle begins with Matsya, the fish, who rescued the Vedas from the demon Hayagriva. This is followed by Kurma, the tortoise, who supported Mount Mandara during the churning of the cosmic ocean. Next is Varaha, the boar, who lifted the Earth from the cosmic waters after it was dragged down by the demon Hiranyaksha. The powerful Narasimha, the man-lion, emerged to protect his devotee Prahlada from the tyrannical Hiranyakashipu. Vamana, the dwarf, outwitted the demon king Bali, reclaiming the three worlds for the gods. Parashurama, the warrior with an axe, rid the Earth of arrogant Kshatriyas. Rama, the ideal king and hero of the Ramayana, embodied righteousness and duty. Krishna, the divine charioteer and philosopher of the Bhagavad Gita, guided humanity through complex moral dilemmas. Then comes the enlightened Buddha, whose teachings brought compassion and peace. Finally, Kalki, the warrior on a white horse, is prophesied to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga to destroy wickedness and usher in a new era of truth.

A Testament to Craftsmanship

This panel is a masterful display of traditional South Indian temple wood carving. The dark, rich wood has been expertly shaped and detailed, bringing each avatar to life with distinct features and symbolic attributes. The flowing lines, intricate patterns on the garments, and the serene yet powerful expressions of the deities speak volumes about the skill and devotion of the artisan. The artistic flourishes and the overall composition create a sense of grandeur and spiritual depth, making this piece a focal point for any sacred space or art collection. It is a tangible connection to ancient lore and a celebration of the enduring power of faith.

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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