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Three-Headed Ganesha Seated in Lalitasana on Lotus Throne

$2554.50
$3406
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Specifications
XM45
South Indian Temple Wood Carving
Height: 48 inch
Width: 23.5 inch
Depth: 7.6 inch
Weight 38.77 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 40 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Ganesha: Remover of Obstacles

Ganesha, also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka, is one of the most beloved and widely worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. He is revered as the God of beginnings, wisdom, intellect, and remover of obstacles. His image is ubiquitous throughout India and beyond, gracing temples, homes, and businesses, a constant reminder of his benevolent presence. Legend tells that Ganesha was born to the goddess Parvati, who created him from the turmeric paste she used for bathing. Shiva, her husband, was away when Ganesha was created. Upon Shiva's return, Ganesha, not recognizing him, prevented him from entering Parvati's chamber. In a fit of rage, Shiva severed Ganesha's head. Parvati was heartbroken, and Shiva, realizing his mistake, promised to restore Ganesha to life. He instructed his followers to bring him the head of the first living being they encountered facing north, which turned out to be an elephant. Thus, Ganesha was resurrected with an elephant head, symbolizing wisdom and intelligence.

Iconography and Symbolism

The iconography of Ganesha is rich with symbolism, each element representing a different aspect of his divine nature. His large elephant head signifies wisdom and understanding. The large ears indicate that he is a good listener, attentive to the prayers and needs of his devotees. His trunk symbolizes adaptability and efficiency, able to perform both delicate and powerful tasks. Ganesha's single tusk represents his ability to overcome duality and embrace unity. He is often depicted with a potbelly, which represents prosperity and the capacity to digest all of life's experiences, both good and bad. Ganesha is frequently shown holding various objects in his hands, each carrying a specific meaning. An axe represents the cutting away of attachments and desires. A rope signifies his ability to draw his devotees closer to him. A modak, a sweet dumpling, symbolizes the rewards of spiritual practice. His raised hand in the Abhaya Mudra offers blessings and reassurance.

Lalitasana and the Lotus Throne

The posture in which Ganesha is seated, known as Lalitasana, is a pose of ease and royal relaxation. This posture signifies that Ganesha is approachable and accessible to his devotees, even in his divine majesty. His one leg rests upon the lotus throne on which he is seated. The lotus, emerging from muddy waters, represents purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. The lotus throne is a symbol of divinity and transcendence. Seated upon this sacred bloom, Ganesha is elevated above the material world, embodying the highest ideals of consciousness.

South Indian Craftsmanship

This meticulously crafted South Indian carving reflects the rich artistic traditions of the region. South Indian temple art is renowned for its intricate details, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound spiritual significance. Artisans, often belonging to families with generations of experience, pour their devotion and skill into creating these sacred images, infusing them with life and divine energy. The use of wood, a natural and enduring material, further enhances the spiritual resonance of the sculpture. Every curve, every line, every detail is carefully rendered to capture the essence of Ganesha's divine presence. This is a work of art meant to inspire reverence and devotion in those who behold it.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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