great gifts

From Suresh and Devender Garg, this finely detailed sculpture honors Lord Ganesha. The beloved man-elephant, Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Durga, and has the power to keep under control the occult forces that bring disaster upon humankind. He holds an axe and lash to protect the world from evil and disaster. On his third hand he holds his favorite dessert, and with his right hand he blesses the faithful. The Hindu deity appears on a lotus throne surrounded by mice, his vehicle to transcend the different plains of life as symbol of the mind's power.

Cradled in his mother's arms, the infant Jesus reaches a chubby hand to caress her face. The Virgin gazes lovingly at her son with a look of infinite tenderness. Golden haloes surround them in this relief carving by the Ramírez Montalvo Family. They select fragrant cedar wood, applying delicate color with oil paints and finishing the sculpture with bronze leaf.

Titled "Virgen de Caricias" in Spanish, the work has a metal hook at the back to facilitate hanging.

Captured in profile with her hands over her chest, the Virgin Mary is depicted in meditation in this divine relief panel from Peru. The Montalvo Family artisans design the rectangular panel, carved of cedar wood with a hand-painted finish. A gold-tone halo surrounds the virgin's head.

For a lovely addition to your decor, this wall cross is created by Balinese artisan Sarwaedi. He works in natural suar wood, carving the image by hand. It features lotus flower motifs and elegant openwork that is achieved with great attention to detail while letting the wood's natural grain to shine through.

Florid gables bring artistic grandeur to a captivating spirit house. Pirot Gitikoon preserves Buddhist spiritual traditions as he carves the temple by hand from Thai teak. It is known as a vihara or san phra poom, meaning "guardian spirit house." When a family moves into a new house, it is customary to hold a Buddhist ceremony to invite a protective spirit to inhabit the ornate temple replica. It is believed it will bring luck, happiness, success and security against mean spirits or enemies who might threaten the family or their home.

Nyoman Indrawati Subrata of the Subrata Family delicately carves the heroic royal couple of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. The epic poem tells the story of Rama, the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu, who eventually wins Sita in marriage. Displaced as rightful heir to his father's throne, Rama goes into exile with Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Sita is later abducted by the demon-king Ravana. Rama, with the aid of the monkey general Hanoman, searches for Sita and slays Rawana, rescuing her. Rama then regains his throne. Rumors and gossip accuse Sita of adultery during her captivity. Although innocent, she bears Rama's twin sons in exile, sheltered by the hermit Valmiki, the author of the poem. Many years pass, but eventually, Rama and Sita reunite in love. This elegant sculpture by Nyoman Indrawati Subrata of the Subrata Family was created in suar wood which is responsible for the richness of color that can be seen in this masterpiece.

Chico Mendoza of Guatemala depicts La Ultima Cena or "The Last Supper" in this stunning relief panel carved from dark-toned pinewood. He masterfully depicts this traditional religious scene and gives it a rustic finish, making it the perfect spiritual addition to your home.

Often associated with Lakshmi, Sri is a Hindu goddess of divine beauty who is believed to bring wealth and good fortune. Balinese artisan Wayan Nuliati pays homage to Sri with this sculpture, which is lovingly hand-carved of suar wood to capture every minute detail. Sri is captured in a kneeling pose as she performs an elegant dance.

"Crosses have a great significance to me: they represent the symbol of love of our Lord Jesus Christ," says Guatemalan artisan Carlos Jimenez who designs and handcrafts this stunning wall cross from natural cedar wood. An abstract silhouette of Jesus Christ enhances the minimalistic cross that will certainly be a focal point anywhere you choose to display it.

Chander Kant celebrates the great love between Lord Krishna and Radha with this admirable kadam wood sculpture. Carved by hand, the column-like sculpture portrays the beautiful Radha on one side, and handsome Krishna on the other, playing his flute. Standing on a lotus throne, the Hindu deity and his beloved appear with expressive detail.