Guru Nanak Marble Statues

A note on Sikh practice

Sikh devotion centres on the Guru Granth Sahib, and mainstream Sikh teaching does not support the worship of images. The Akal Takht has discouraged the installation of statues of the Gurus in gurdwaras. For that reason the statues on this page are offered as commemorative pieces, in the same spirit as a portrait or a memorial, for placement in homes, educational institutions, community halls and private or public gardens. They are not made or sold as objects of worship. If you are unsure whether a statue is appropriate for your setting, we encourage you to follow the guidance of your own gurdwara, sangat or community before you enquire.

How Guru Nanak Dev Ji is usually depicted

Representations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji draw on the popular imagery that has developed over centuries rather than on any portrait made in his lifetime. Common depictions include:

• Seated, with the right hand raised in blessing, often with the Ik Onkar symbol marked on the palm.
• Holding a mala (rosary) in one hand, sometimes with a book or a staff nearby.
• Accompanied by Bhai Mardana playing the rabab and Bhai Bala holding a chauri (fly whisk), recalling his companions on his travels.
• As a bust, showing the head and shoulders with the turban, flowing beard and calm expression familiar from paintings.

The turban style, the rendering of the beard and the surrounding details vary between artists. Sharing a reference image you are comfortable with is the simplest way to make sure the statue matches your expectations.

Scale for indoor and outdoor placement

A bust for a study, reception area or library is usually compact and sits on a plinth or shelf, so the height of the plinth matters as much as the bust itself. Full-figure seated statues for a hall or foyer are larger and are generally viewed from a few metres away, which suits a slightly bigger scale than feels natural in a small room. Garden and courtyard statues are seen against open space and from a distance, so they are usually the largest, and they need a stable, level base. Our size guide explains how to measure a space and how to judge scale from a distance.

Finish options

Statues of this kind are commonly made in plain white marble, and may also be finished with colour on the robes and turban or with restrained detailing in gold. A plain finish suits formal and outdoor settings and shows the stone itself, while a coloured finish reads more like a painting and is usually chosen for indoor display. Ask us what is possible for the piece you have in mind and how each finish should be cared for, particularly if the statue will stand outdoors.