Devi Saraswati Seated on a Swan Shaped Dragon

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Name: Devi Saraswati Seated on a Swan Shaped Dragon
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EO68
Price: 295.00 USD
Availability: InStock

CA$421

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Specifications

	EO68
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.70 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

An Ode to Wisdom and Art

This exquisite sculpture presents Devi Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom, and learning. Revered as the consort of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, Saraswati embodies the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Her presence is believed to banish ignorance and bestow enlightenment. The intricate detailing of this piece captures her divine serenity and grace. This unique and beautiful rendition of Saraswati is more than a piece of art; it's an embodiment of auspiciousness and a conduit for wisdom to flow into your space. The shimmering 24 Karat gold gilding adds an unparalleled richness and luster, ensuring this statue will be a cherished focal point for generations.

Symbolism Embodied

Saraswati is traditionally depicted seated on a swan or lotus, symbols of purity, discrimination, and transcendence. Here, the artist has presented a unique and imaginative approach. While retaining the auspiciousness of the swan, the mount assumes the form of a fantastical dragon-like creature. The swan itself is laden with auspicious associations; it is said to possess the ability to separate milk from water, symbolizing the power to discriminate between good and evil, truth and falsehood. The presence of dragon like elements may represent the harnessing of primal energies, emphasizing Saraswati's control over creative forces and the potential for raw, untamed power to be channeled into refined expression. In her four arms, Saraswati traditionally holds a book, a rosary, a water pot, and the veena, a stringed instrument. The book represents the Vedas, the source of all knowledge, and the rosary symbolizes the power of meditation and spiritual practice. The water pot signifies purity and the power to purify. The veena, however, is perhaps her most iconic symbol. It represents music, harmony, and the resonance of the universe. This sculpture carefully depicts her holding the veena, poised to unleash the melodies that inspire creativity and learning. Her hand also holds a noose, which is representative of removing obstacles.

Craftsmanship and Creation

Cast in copper, a metal prized for its conductivity and believed to possess healing properties, this sculpture is meticulously crafted to capture every nuance of Devi Saraswati's divine form. The copper provides a solid and durable base, ensuring the statue's longevity. The application of 24 Karat gold gilding elevates the piece to a new level of artistry. The shimmering gold surface catches the light, creating a luminous effect that accentuates the intricate details and imbues the statue with an aura of divine radiance. With dimensions of 8.0 x 6.0 x 3.5 inches, this piece makes a powerful statement. Placed in a home, studio, or office, this statue radiates positive energy, promoting creativity, learning, and spiritual growth. It is a beautiful reminder of the divine potential within each of us to seek knowledge, embrace the arts, and cultivate wisdom.

How are Nepalese copper statues made?

Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual purposes in their temples and monasteries.

Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process involves many steps and requires skilled artists.

The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills otherwise fine features will be lacking.

Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so that the wax flows away when it is heated.

At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is obtained.

This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed and the statue within is revealed.

The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools. It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.

Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold finish.

The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique

for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details. Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.