A magnificent wood-carving of massive size, more than six ft in height, about four ft wide and about a ft thick – a wood-piece with no joints revealed, affording such large spaces for dimensional carving: multiplicity of imagery and vividness of details, the statue represents the monkey god Hanuman in his five-faced manifestation revered in worship tradition as his most powerful form.
Unlike his more usual images representing him as engaged in an act, or on an errand of his Master Lord Rama: fetching Mount Dron, transporting Rama and his brother Lakshmana on his shoulders, seeking to destroy Lanka by putting it on fire, leaping across the ocean on his way to Lanka, or humbly attending Rama’s ‘durbar’, this form of the monkey god is purely votive, representing him as abounding in all powers of Lord Vishnu that the Vaishnava tradition: scriptural, folk, mythical, or metaphysical, saw manifesting in his various animal incarnations. A saint or an old Brahmin-like face in advanced years, with a reflection of deep concern for all beings, and hands held in ‘abhaya’ and ‘varad’, further strengthens this votive character of the image.
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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