Budai was a historical Chinese monk who was introduced to the popular name, Laughing Buddha because of his jolly nature, always smiling face and fat belly. It is strongly believed that he is oozing good luck and great fortune and because of his benevolent nature; he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the Boddhisattvas who will be Maitreya (future Buddha). He is available in various postures and each posture holds a significant meaning. With happy eyes and a carefree and charming face, a Laughing Buddha can be an immediate mood lifter and can also take away stress and financial worries.
The sculpture shown here is carved in wood in a realistic posture in a blend of red, yellow, gold, and wine shade. Laughing Buddha holds a great significance in feng shui; he stands erect with his hands up and palms facing upward holding a lotus carved bowl and an ingot (ball) in each open palm symbolizing abundance and prosperity. It is said that if you rub his oversized belly, you can be an achiever of good luck. He is garbed in a multi-shaded robe, scored gracefully in a plethora of stylized floral patterns; his robe falls beautifully on his legs from the front in a flower petal style. Entire body is beautifully decorated with large floral golden patches accentuating the elegant and divine carving.
To beautify his work, the sculptor has chosen to ornament this sculpture in alluring jewels of Buddha's faces- two beaded necklaces having laughing Buddha pendant, robe ornamented with similar kinds of Buddha beads, earrings styled in bearded Buddha heads which complement with the similar heads decorated at the back of his robe along with two semicircular vines loaded with fruits and leaves.
The sculptor’s professional skills and laborious time is enlightened by the way he has highlighted each and every aspect of Buddha’s iconography and the realistic look of his smile.
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.
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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