How to Find Hindu Figurines

If you're a historian, cultural or religious Hindu, or even just a mythologist or art fanatic, you may be wanting to get your hands on some Hindu figurines that show the interesting and diverse world of Hindu mythology in three dimensions. Look online for many venues and markets of Hindu goods, including statues of religious characters like Ganesh, and examples of Hindu artisan crafts that will add value to your collection.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find specialty retailers. Velina designs has a variety of Hindu figurines. Another retailer, Shalin-Craft India, has a large catalog with images of figurines from Hindu nations. Browse the sites of these and other retailers to get an idea of what is available online.

2. Try larger retailers like Amazon.com. These "general merchandising" sites offer goods of all kinds; they often have a niche market of Hindu figurines available online as well. Browse for characters or prices.

3. Research galleries. From the smallest of artisan galleries, to national museums like the Cambodian collection, you can see what is warehoused for gallery shows and what might be available for purchase. Try taking note of the value and other aspects of these statues as you browse for a more fundamental understanding of what Hindu sculpture looks like.

4. Try international market sites. Large merchandisers of international sculpture sometimes have a spot for Hindu artists. Using keyword searches in the websites of retailers like Ten Thousand Villages (fair trade site) or others can yield a variety of Hindu figurines.

5. Track Hindu art trends through the media. The International Herald Tribune provides reports on the buying and selling of sculptures and artisan materials. Keeping track of what's on the market will help you seek out the figurines you are looking for.

Resources

• International Herald Tribune reports on art events.
• Hindu sculpture at Shalincraft-India
• Velina Designs - Supplier of Hindu Crafts