Chola bronze images were made by which technique?
- A.Lost-wax casting
- B.Fresco painting
- C.Terracotta moulding in open moulds
- D.Stone relief carving
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, lost-wax casting, known also by its French name cire perdue. The sculptor first models the figure in wax, coats it in fine clay to form a mould, and heats the mould so that the wax melts and runs out; molten metal is poured into the empty space, and the mould is broken to free the image, so each bronze is a unique original and no two are identical. Option B is wrong because fresco is a wall-painting technique, used in India in the murals of Ajanta and later Rajasthani work. Option C is wrong because terracotta figures are of fired clay and are made in simple moulds or by hand, not of metal. Option D is wrong because relief carving is cutting a figure out of stone, the method of temple panels rather than of bronzes.
Read the full article: Iconography of Indian Art: Mudras, Avatars, Symbols
Practice Questions
View allThe Bhumisparsha mudra of the Buddha represents which event of his life?
- A.The first sermon at Sarnath
- B.The enlightenment at Bodh Gaya
- C.The great renunciation
- D.The death at Kushinagar
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In the Bhumisparsha, or earth-touching, mudra the Buddha sits with the left hand in his lap and the right hand lowered with the fingers pointing to the ground, calling the earth to witness that he had earned the right to enlightenment against the temptations of Mara.
Read the full explanation →Which mudra of the Buddha is associated with the first sermon at Sarnath?
- A.Dhyana mudra
- B.Abhaya mudra
- C.Dharmachakra mudra
- D.Varada mudra
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The gesture joins the thumb and forefinger of each hand into a circle, the wheel, and holds them before the chest, marking the turning of the wheel of law in the deer park at Sarnath, where the Buddha preached to his first five disciples.
Read the full explanation →The conch of Vishnu is known by which name?
- A.Sudarshana
- B.Panchajanya
- C.Kaumodaki
- D.Sharanga
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Vishnu is recognised by four attributes, and each has its own name: the conch Panchajanya, the discus Sudarshana, the mace Kaumodaki and the lotus.
Read the full explanation →Which avatar of Vishnu is depicted as a boar?
- A.Kurma
- B.Varaha
- C.Narasimha
- D.Vamana
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The correct answer is B, Varaha, the boar, third in the usual sequence of ten avatars, carved either fully as a boar or with a boar's head on a human body, often lifting the earth goddess on one tusk.
Read the full explanation →The Nataraja image shows Shiva performing which dance?
- A.Ananda tandava
- B.Lasya
- C.Garba
- D.Chhau
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The Nataraja shows Shiva within a ring of flames, hair flying, the damaru drum in one hand and fire in another, the right foot pressing down the dwarf of ignorance called Apasmara and one hand raised in the gesture of protection; the form is linked with Chidambaram and is the…
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