Sculpture, Statues & Carving

The tradition of Temple Architecture in Bengal is very rich with a number of temple types to offer. One such temple type which is unique is "Jor-Bangla" (meaning Joint Twin) temples. In this article an analytic study is presented on 15 such temples from different districts of West Bengal, India.

As per Hindu tradition, all gods and goddesses have their own specific Vahana (vehicle) in the form of an animal or a bird. Lord Shiva thus has Nandi the Bull as His Vahana. In this article, an analytical study is made on Nandi, as he is present in temple iconography or in temple decorations.

Temples in Bengal are decorated by various means, mostly by terracotta bas-relief works, which includes a huge and diverse treasure of subjects ranging from gods to mythological tales as well as social scenes, birds and animals, vegetative and geometric designs etc. Fake doors are one such design.

Discover how to identify an authentic Japanese sword with this expert tips. Learn to read date inscriptions and distinguish between antiques and reproductions.

Many sculptors choose to work with plasticine for their models. It is easy to model with tools and bare hands. Plasticine can be used over and over for years.

One of the most exquisite examples of Indian Art and Architecture, can be found in the caves of Ellora and Ajanta. Magnificent paintings, sculptures inside the walls of the caves leaves you spellbound. Few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit this World Heritage Site.

The area where Nelson Mandela was captured in 1962 was a small, nondescript road. After his death, the fascinating sculpture at the site drew tributes from thousands of people. It was a touching moment in history, captured on this page.

"Obstacle Art Path" is the 5th annual curated sculpture show located on Heights Boulevard in Houston. It is always fun to see what the artists create.

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples, situated at Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh state of India. These are World famous temples for their Nagara style art, architecture and sculpture, and are inscribed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Come along and take a look at this year's eight eye-catching sculptures along Heights Boulevard in Houston. Whether you think that they are whimsical, perplexing, surprising, or otherwise, you can decide.

See the whimsical Dillidiidae sculptures created by Sharon Engelstein. Armadillidiidae, commonly known as roly-poly bugs, inspired these unique creations! Learn more about these isopods and the artist here.

The Funnel Tunnel was an eye-catching temporary public art sculpture made from reclaimed items by artist Patrick Renner. It was on display in Houston, Texas, for nine months on Montrose Boulevard. It is now in New Orleans. Come and take a look!

Haitian recycled steel drum art movement is sweeping the devastated port cities of Haiti's capital Port Au Prince.

“Mrityulata” is a vertical panel in temples with human and animal figures arranged in such a way that each figure is seen attacking the figure immediately beneath it. This type of panels are usually placed at the external angle of the temples, though in some cases these are on front walls.

See the eight unique sculptures from renowned artists gracing Heights Boulevard in Houston on the tenth anniversary exhibit.

I have rhubarb leaves, sand, and cement...

Lord Buddha in reclining position is an important artistic rendition of his life. It shows Buddha just before he passed into the afterlife with a calm and serene expression. Some aspects of this imagery of Lord Buddha are discussed in this article.

Conch (Shankha) is marine snail having many unique properties. It is considered sacred in religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc. It is also a popular object of art. The religious importance of the conch and its depiction in temple decoration is discussed here.

This Page looks at sculpture that was inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Birthing is a Natural process for propagation of the species. However, humans have made many modifications and upgradations of this Natural phenomenon. One of this is adoption of several postures during childbirth. Interestingly, this is documented in decorations of some temples in India.

Away from the hypocrisy of faces, the masks reveal the tribal innocence since ancient times. These symbols of the art forming the cultural heritage of the world should be preserved for the posterity.

Learn about the art of polished dirt balls, also known as hikaru dorodango. Subtle and cerebral meets getting-your-hands-dirty fun! This is easy if you balance skill and patience.

This charming little whale sculpture is an easy project that is great for beginner wood carvers. Cut out the blank shape, sand, and then mount to a piece of driftwood.

Unearthed in Mohenjo-daro, the "Priest King" sculpture of the Indus Valley Civilization remains a mystery. With its intricate details and regal appearance, scholars debate its role whether ruler or priest. Research may unveil the secrets of this figure, shedding light on the sophisticated culture.

In North America, Swamp Alder is an underappreciated wood that turns surprisingly well. This is my assessment of this type of wood.

Temple-decoration in West Bengal is an age-old art. The chief medium of these is bas-relief in terracotta tiles. Temples dedicated to all gods and goddesses bear these art works. However, temples dedicated to Goddess Kali seem to be an exception, and only a very few Kali temples have terracotta art.

At least on paper, Da Vinci may have created the masterpiece first, but he was not the first to construct it. Here is a detailed account of the inspiration and artwork behind Leonardo Da Vinci's "Horse That Never Was."

Krishna-Kali, a conjoint form of Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali is a syncretic idea in Hinduism. In this article, a brief discussion on the concept of Krishna-Kali with special reference to Its presence in temple decorations is discussed.

Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Fortune of the Hindu religion has multiple forms, and is depicted in the decorations of temples in different ways. In this article, the presence of Goddess Lakshmi in temple decorations of West Bengal is studied analytically.

Durga, the Mother Goddess is being represented in temple iconography since the beginning of the first millennium CE, and has undergone many changes. The present article is on the different forms of Goddess Durga in decorations of temples of West Bengal, India.

Chimera is a condition in which an individual (plant or animal) carries more than one genetic line, usually DNA. The term Chimera originated in Greek Mythology to denote a composite animal. Mythologies from different countries including India have examples of composite gods, demigods or animals.

Temples are decorated for beautification and other reasons like propagation of knowledge about gods, epics, religious texts, social customs, historical events etc. In this article, an analytic approach has been adopted to describe the presence of different footwears in decorations of Bengal temples.

Decoration on the exterior of temples are done not only for beautification, but also to convey messages about religious subjects, arts & design and many social issues and events. In West Bengal, India, temples have an ancient and rich tradition of presenting such decoration.

Pakhmaras are tribal bird hunters of West Bengal and adjoining areas of Jharkhand. They are expert bird hunters who hunt birds by traditional methods for their own food and business purposes. Their importance in the society is demonstrated by their presence in decorations of temples in West Bengal.

Nrisingha Deva, the half-man half-lion god is the 4th Avatar of Lord Vishnu. His presence in the decorations of temples of West Bengal is a fascinating subject.

How to take fresh-cut hardwood trees and carve them into beautiful one-piece wood art.

Lord Vishnu appeared in different forms or Avatars in different era to destroy the Evil and protect the Good. The second of these was "Kurma" or The Turtle, when he helped the gods in churning the ocean to find "Amrita". In the current article, "Kurma" in temple decoration of Bengal is described.

Dealing with old stumps doesn't have to be drudgery! Instead of grinding and discarding them, consider these creative ways to use them to enhance your landscape.

Mixing flour, salt and water to make clay for miniature making...

The term "Faberge' Egg" is synonymous with luxury and Peter Carl Faberge's eggs are regarded as masterpieces of the jeweler's art. This hub tells a tiny bit of his journey to become world famous.

A sculpture with 100,000 knives, designed and created to voice concerns over knife crime. Find out how this spectacular figure came about, its founders, its message and its impact.

The Rosetta Stone is more than just a rock, it's a key to unlocking the secrets of ancient Egypt and a reminder of the power of language and communication.

This article outlines action steps to start learning about CNC machines and their uses.

Every Indian who has mastered the art of sculpturing or carving on stone has brought beauty to the nature and witness that rocks can express a lot though being hard and lifeless.

Goddess Kali is one of the manifestations of Mother Goddess as worshipped by Hindus. The depiction of Goddess Kali in the decorations of 207 temples of West Bengal is studied and the results are presented here. The list of the temples with images of Kali in this study is shown in the appendix.

Use these tips and tricks to prepare the perfect pumpkin this Halloween! Includes a step-by-step guide to carving a pumpkin and the history of the term "jack-o'-lantern."

Because of its durability and versatility, bronze is the material of choice for cast metal sculptures. Bronze may be used to create statues (both standalone and part of a set), reliefs, tiny statuettes and figurines, and components that can be attached to items like furniture.

This Welsh spoon is full of special meaning and is not that difficult to master for new carvers.

Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of Wealth in Hinduism. She is worshipped in many forms and is depicted in temple decorations as such. In the present small analytic study involving temples of West Bengal, India, the presence of Goddess Lakshmi in the temple decorations are discussed.