This wooden dome, which reminds us of
the marble ceilings of Dilwara temples, is approximately 400 years old
and made in Gujarat. There are four circular parts, one above the other.
On them, flowering-creepers, on the first, followed with circular minute
carvings, and in the lower tier, fortysix human figurines are chiselled.
The diameter of this dome measures 145 cm. Surat was famous for
woodwork. In the past, in the construction of houses, extensive use of
wood was made and there was scope for carvings on gates and gateways,
pillars, beams, brackets and ceilings etc. Such houses were very
commonly found on the roads and in the lanes of Surat, until the sixth
decade of this century, in which many houses with balconies stood as
excellent examples of the art of wood-carving. Wooden toys for children
and objects of everyday use in homes were also artistically carved out
ot wood such as beds, stands, stools, rolling pins, sticks for use while
dancing, baby-walkers etc. These things were coated with lacquer colours.
|
Surat was also famous for its sandalwood carving and for that purpose
sandalwood was brought from Mysore. Besides toys, other objects made out
of sandalwood were figures of Gods and Goddesses, framed representations
of important historical architecture, representations of mythological
incidents like Ten Incarnations, the churning of the Ocean, the Court of
the Lord Rama etc. boxes and frames with carved panels. All these kinds
of objects are in the museum collection.
Ivory, horn, ebonite, chests in-laid with shells, chess-boards,
tie-boxes, were the other creations of the cabinet-makers (Petigara) of
Surat, samples of which are also preserved in this museum.
Fine art is that in which the hand, the head and the heart of
man go together. - John Ruskin
Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them. - David Hume
|
