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Lord Ganesha Dancing on His Rat

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Name: Lord Ganesha Dancing on His Rat
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RP52
Price: 635.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$595.50

$794

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	RP52
	South Indian Temple Wood Carving
	Height: 37 inch
	Width: 14.2 inch
	Depth: 3.6 inch
	Weight 13.90 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.

Divine Merriment: A Lord Ganesha Wood Carving

Bring the auspicious presence of Lord Ganesha into your home with this exquisite South Indian temple wood carving. This piece captures the beloved elephant-headed deity in a moment of joyful dance, his form vibrantly rendered from the rich, aged wood. The intricate details showcase the masterful artistry of traditional South Indian craftsmanship, where each stroke of the chisel breathes life into the divine. Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the bestower of wisdom, is often depicted with his mount, the humble yet powerful rat. In this captivating sculpture, the rat, adorned with decorative trappings, serves as the sturdy, dynamic base for the dancing god. The contrast between Ganesha's divine grace and the earthiness of his vehicle symbolizes the ability to overcome any challenge, no matter how small it may seem. This portrayal of Ganesha in a dancing pose is particularly significant, as dance is often seen as an expression of cosmic energy and divine joy. It evokes the spirit of celebration and the overcoming of darkness with light and mirth.

A Masterpiece of Traditional Craftsmanship

The entire carving is a testament to the dedication and skill of the artisans. Notice the delicate rendering of Ganesha's multiple arms, each holding symbolic objects or bestowing blessings. The ornate headdress and the serene yet powerful expression on his face are hallmarks of classic Ganesha iconography. The background is a riot of carved flora and fauna, adding depth and a sense of lush natural abundance to the scene. This surrounding ornamentation, often seen in South Indian temple carvings, signifies the divine pervading all aspects of creation. The use of earthy tones interspersed with vibrant highlights further enhances the visual appeal, making this piece a true focal point for any space. The wood itself, likely a dense and durable timber, has been expertly treated and finished to ensure its longevity and to bring out the natural beauty of the grain.

Cultural Resonance and Auspicious Beginnings

Lord Ganesha holds a paramount position in Hindu mythology. He is invoked at the commencement of all new ventures, rituals, and important undertakings, ensuring smooth passage and success. His worship is widespread across India and beyond, revered by individuals from all walks of life. The story of his birth, sculpted from clay by his mother, Goddess Parvati, and then granted an elephant head by Lord Shiva, is a tale of divine intervention and maternal love. His wisdom is legendary, often sought by gods and mortals alike. This carving, therefore, is not merely a decorative item but a conduit to spiritual blessings, a reminder of overcoming challenges, and a symbol of auspicious beginnings. Displaying this piece in your home or office is believed to invite prosperity, harmony, and the removal of obstacles, fostering an environment of peace and success.

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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