Eleven Headed Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara

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Eleven Headed Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara

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Name: Eleven Headed Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZO82
Price: 3265.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$4081

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Specifications

	ZO82
	Wood and Papier Machie Sculpture from LadakhArtist Sonam Skalzang (National Award Winner)
	3.8 ft x 2.5 ft x 0.8 ft
	Weight 50 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 35 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.

Avalokiteshvara: Embodiment of Compassion

Within the pantheon of Buddhist deities, few resonate as deeply as Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Known by various names across different cultures – Chenrezig in Tibet, Kannon in Japan, Guanyin in China – Avalokiteshvara embodies the boundless mercy and unwavering resolve to liberate all beings from suffering. Legend tells of Avalokiteshvara vowing never to rest until all beings were freed from suffering. Despite tireless effort, upon looking out at the world, the Bodhisattva saw countless beings still in anguish. In despair, Avalokiteshvara's head split into eleven pieces. Amitabha Buddha, witnessing this, transformed the fragments into eleven heads, bestowing upon Avalokiteshvara the ability to perceive and address the suffering of beings across all directions. This exquisite sculpture offers a profound representation of Avalokiteshvara in a unique and powerful form. This handcrafted sculpture originating from Ladakh captures the essence of this benevolent deity.

Artistry of Ladakh: A Legacy of Craftsmanship

This striking piece is meticulously crafted from wood and papier-mâché, a traditional technique passed down through generations in Ladakh. The medium allows for the creation of intricate details and vibrant colors. The artist, Sonam Skalzang, a National Award winner, infuses his deep understanding of Buddhist iconography and Ladakhi artistic heritage into every aspect of the sculpture, ensuring its authenticity and spiritual significance.

Symbolism and Dimensions

Standing at 3.8 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide, and 0.8 feet deep, this sculpture makes a commanding presence, filling any space with a sense of peace and reverence. The eleven heads, meticulously stacked atop each other, represent the all-seeing wisdom and ability to perceive suffering in every realm. The thousand arms, though stylized in this representation, symbolize the boundless capacity to offer aid and protection to all sentient beings. Each hand, often depicted with an eye in the palm, signifies the union of skillful means and compassionate insight. The sculpture's vibrant colors, applied with skillful precision, further enhance its visual impact and spiritual depth. The intricate patterns and adornments, meticulously rendered, reflect the rich artistic traditions of Ladakh and the profound symbolism embedded within Buddhist art. This sculpture is more than just a work of art; it's a testament to faith, a symbol of compassion, and a window into the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh.

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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