FAQs

Q. What are the Five Metal Statues?

A. The five metal statues (also known as bronzes) of South India are unique as they are only made in the state of Tamil Nadu. The traditional five metals are copper, zinc, tin, silver and gold. Rishi five metal statues are made in a traditional manner that goes back thousands of years to ancient, Vedic times and is known as the ‘Lost Wax Method’.  The statues are made according to ancient scriptures (the Sirpa Sastras) with exact forms and geometric dimensions.  The forms are of Hindu deities or depict the various fine arts.

Rishi personnel have been specially trained to know how the statues should look and how they should be made.  The sculptors employed by Rishi have a lineage in this ancient art going back millennia.  They are devoted people who perform rituals during the making of their sculptures to ensure that the correct energy is in their special creations. Only good quality metals are used.  Every single Rishi statue is made individually, completely by hand and take many weeks to complete. Firstly, the statue is fashioned by the craftsman as a wax model. The metal is heated to a great heat in an open pit according to the scriptures.  The basic form of the statue is then cooled and set in earth and sand, as it has been for thousands of years.  Then, the sculptor will chisel out the fine details of the statues, sometimes taking months over special pieces.  Rishi statues are individual pieces of art, created with devotion and concentration. Further, all Rishi statues are blessed prior to despatch in a traditional ‘eye-opening’ ceremony.

All Rishi statues are certified as genuine traditional handicrafts by the Government of India before export.  In this way we support the ancient line of traditional craftsmen doing this fine work for a living.  

Statues of any deities can be made according to the size you wish.  Special orders should be given well in advance.