This panchamukha Lord Ganesha murti has been sculpted from pure, homegrown wood. In addition to the five elephant heads, He is possessed of (‘dhari’) ten (‘dasha’) arms (‘bhuja’); like His mother the ferocious Devi Durga, He is dashabhujadhari, each of His bhujas wielding a weapon to ward of adharma. He is clad in a dhoti and a world of shringar, which adds a considerable proportion of detail to the already complex composition. Zoom in each aspect of the same to appreciate the detail with which it has been executed.
A throne formed of numerous lotus pedestals, each of them carved such as to convey an undeniable quivering motion. A little mouse, the vahana, raises its arms to its Lord on one side, a bowlful of laddoos sits on the other. The throne of Lord Ganesha lies on a traditionally carved pedestal, upon which are a pair of stunted yet richly engraved pillars. A glamorous aureole surrounds the central lalitasana figure, whose five crowns seem to merge into the jawless infinitude of the mouth of the Kirtimukham.
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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