Description
Four lions, facing four directions, seeing everything. Carved at Sarnath in the third century BCE and standing there still, the Lion Capital of Ashoka is one of the oldest pieces of sculpture India has never stopped looking at. This is that form, cut by hand from a single length of Kadamb wood.
About the Craft
Hand-carved by wood artisans in Rajasthan, the piece is worked from one solid block, no joins, no assembly. The carving reads from the base upward: a fluted column, then the inverted lotus bell, then the abacus band with its Dharma Chakra and running animals, and at the crown the four addorsed lions with their manes cut strand by strand. Each face is shaped freehand, which is why no two pieces have quite the same expression. The finish is the wood’s own honey-brown grain, sealed and left unpainted so the depth of the carving stays visible.
Where to Place It
The Ashoka Stambh sits naturally on a desk, a study shelf, or a console table near the entrance. In Vastu the north and north-east are associated with clarity and authority, which makes a north-facing study or office corner a fitting place for it. It also stands well beside books, or on a plinth in a hallway where its height carries.
Perfect For
- Desks, studies and home offices
- Entrance consoles and bookshelves
- Republic Day and Independence Day gifting
- Farewell and retirement gifts for civil servants, officers and teachers
- Anyone who collects Indian sculpture or wooden craft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ashoka Stambh?
The Lion Capital of Ashoka, carved around 250 BCE and originally set atop a pillar at Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Four lions stand back to back above a band carrying the Dharma Chakra. The original is in the Sarnath Museum.
What wood is it carved from?
Kadamb wood, hand-carved by artisans in Rajasthan. Kadamb is a close-grained wood that holds fine detail, which is what makes the lion manes and the chakra spokes possible at this scale.
Is it painted?
No. The colour is the natural grain of the Kadamb wood, sealed to protect it. Tone varies a little from piece to piece because the wood does.
How do I care for it?
Dust with a dry, soft cloth. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from damp, as with any solid wood piece.
Why Premloom Envision
Every Premloom Envision piece is made by artisan families in Rajasthan whose craft is generations old. We work directly with them, which means fair pay at their end and honest work at yours. Because each piece is carved by hand, small variations in grain, tone and expression are not flaws. They are the evidence that a person made it.
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