Bidri |
Bronze Idols | Budhithi | Dokra | Sheet Metal | Filigree
BRONZE IDOLS
The origin of Bronze idols
dates way back to the ancient times of India. The art then was practiced by the
craftsmen after carefully study the verses from "Shilpasastra". The
verses called Dhyana, instructed them on the physical measurements, proportions,
description of the deity, characteristics, symbolism and above all, aesthetics.
The mould for the idols is
initially made, by giving consecutive clay coatings of different clays on a
prepared wax model. These coatings convey the contours of the model to the cast image.
Into the mould made red hot, is then poured the molten alloy of the metal in thin and even
stream. After this is solidified, the mould is broken to get the idol. Care is taken to
see that the head of the icon is out first as a good omen.
It is however interesting to note that the craftsmen sought a guidance from nature for
molding the icons. They modeled the eyebrows after Neem leaf or fish; nose after the
Sesame flower; the upper lip after a bow; chin after a mango stone; neck after the conch
shell and so on. Thus came the creation of the masterpieces, idols of Adi Shakthi, Buddha,
Ardhanareeswara and Nataraj being few of them.
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