Parinirvana Buddha from the Caves of Ajanta

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Parinirvana Buddha from the Caves of Ajanta

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Name: Parinirvana Buddha from the Caves of Ajanta
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZU49
Price: 540.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$675

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZU49
	Kaima Wood SculptureArtist Vishwakarma family
	Height: 21 inch
	Width: 8 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 10 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.

The Final Release

In Buddhist art, the depiction of the Parinirvana—the final passing into Nirvana—holds profound significance. It represents the culmination of the Buddha's life, his release from the cycle of suffering (samsara), and his attainment of ultimate peace and enlightenment. This particular sculpture captures this moment with serene detail. The Buddha lies on his right side, a posture frequently associated with the Parinirvana, signifying his last earthly moments before transcending into a state beyond human comprehension. The folds of his robe are meticulously carved, suggesting both the earthly form he inhabited and the lightness of being he achieved. The gentle curve of his body and the peaceful expression on his face invite contemplation and a sense of profound tranquility.

The Caves of Ajanta

The imagery of this statue is notably inspired by the cave paintings and sculptures found in the Ajanta Caves of Maharashtra, India. The Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are renowned for their ancient Buddhist rock-cut cave temples, dating back to the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE. These caves contain some of the most exquisite examples of ancient Indian art, particularly murals depicting the life of the Buddha, stories from the Jataka tales, and various aspects of Buddhist teachings. Within these caves, representations of the Buddha in the Parinirvana posture can be found, echoing the themes of renunciation, enlightenment, and the ultimate liberation from suffering.

Crafted by Masters

This piece is masterfully hand-carved from Kaima wood. The natural grain and warmth of the wood bring a unique tactile quality to the sculpture, inviting the viewer to connect with it on a deeper, almost sensory level. The careful attention to detail is a testament to the skill and dedication of the Vishwakarma family artisans, who have passed down their craft through generations. The Vishwakarma community has long been associated with woodworking and metalworking in India, tracing their lineage back to the divine architect Vishwakarma, a deity revered in Hindu mythology as the creator of the universe and all things divine. According to Hindu scripture, Vishwakarma fashioned the sacred weapons used by the gods and built the cities and palaces of the deities. The Vishwakarma artisans, therefore, see themselves as inheritors of this divine creative power, imbuing their work with reverence and a dedication to perfection.

Inviting Peace and Reflection

Measuring 21.0 x 8.0 x 3.5 inches, this sculpture is ideal for placement in a meditation space, a living room, or any area where you seek to cultivate a sense of serenity and contemplation. The base of the sculpture also includes additional carvings. Let this sculpture serve as a reminder of the impermanence of life, the possibility of enlightenment, and the profound peace that can be found through inner reflection. This beautiful sculpture offers not just an art piece, but an object of mindful contemplation, and an echo of the ancient wisdom of the Ajanta Caves.

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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