Swamimalai Bronze Icons refers to bronze idols and statues manufactured in Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu. The skillfully crafted Swamimalai bronze idols are some of the most sought after artifacts by art lovers and connoisseurs throughout the world.
Though bronze icon making is an age-old Indian tradition, it was only during the Chola dynasty that this craft rose to the significance and occupied a central position in Indian culture and Hindu worship. Most of such bronze icons are manufactured by Sthapathies. Ancestors of these Sthapathies built the famous Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur during Raja Raja Chola period. After the construction of this great temple, a group of Sthapathies migrated to Swamimalai.
The statues made mainly include that of Hindu deities. Other icons of animals, figures of males and females are also cast based on requirements. The statues are made using the technique of wax casting and the cast can be of two types - solid and hollow cast.
During historic times, the molten metal was an alloy of five metals: gold, silver, copper, zinc and lead, known as Panchaloha. As gold and silver are expensive, they are replaced by tin and iron.
GI Tag Registration Date : 22 April 2008
GI Tag Number : 64
Certificate Number : 67
Geographical Area : Tamil Nadu
Special Cover Release Date : 10 June 2018
Cancellation : Kumbakonam 612 001
Type : Special Cover
Cover Identification Number : TN/20/2018
Enlarged View of Illustration
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