"OM TARE TUTTARE TURE AMA AYUH-PUNYA JNANA-PUSTIM
KURU SVAHA"
White
Tara, a beloved figure in Tibetan Buddhism,
is beautifully depicted in this 12" statue. The mantra stated above is
associated with White Tara, a beloved figure in Tibetan Buddhism that helps
invoke her blessings for long life, wisdom, and abundance. White Tara
represents compassion, healing, and spiritual nourishment. The statue's
delicate craftsmanship showcases her serene countenance, adorned with seven
eyes, two on the face, one on the forehead, and one each on the hands that
symbolizes her ability to perceive suffering in all realms. The lotus blossom
in her hand signifies purity and spiritual enlightenment. This sacred representation
of White
Tara inspires devotees on their path to liberation.
The Compassionate Embrace of White Tara
This exquisite statue embodies White Tara, a revered bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism, symbolizing longevity, healing, and compassion. Her serene countenance, with half-closed eyes, suggests deep contemplation and boundless empathy for all sentient beings. She is often depicted as youthful and radiant, a divine figure who arises from a tear shed by the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara upon witnessing the suffering of the world. Legend has it that when a single tear fell, a lotus bloomed, and from it emerged White Tara, promising to guide all towards enlightenment and liberation from suffering.A Symbol of Auspiciousness and Longevity
The radiant gold plating of this statue, meticulously applied to a copper core, speaks of divinity and auspiciousness. White Tara's iconography is rich with meaning. She is frequently shown with seven eyes – one on her forehead, like the third eye of Shiva, and one on each palm and sole – symbolizing her ability to see all suffering and offer solace wherever it arises. Her posture is one of grace and repose, seated in the vajra posture, indicating unwavering stability and spiritual groundedness. The delicate detailing of her garments and the intricate crown she wears further enhance her divine presence, reflecting the artistry and devotion of its creators. The subtle touches of blue on her hair add a touch of ethereal beauty, hinting at her celestial origins.The Auspicious Lotus and the Gesture of Blessing
In her left hand, White Tara often holds the stem of a lotus, a universal symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and detachment from worldly desires. The lotus, blooming even in muddy waters, represents the ability to rise above adversity and achieve enlightenment. Her right hand is often extended in the *abhaya mudra*, the gesture of fearlessness, offering protection and reassurance to devotees. This hand position signifies her readiness to offer succour and dispel any apprehension. This particular rendition masterfully captures these essential attributes, inviting a sense of peace and tranquility into any space it adorns. Its presence serves as a constant reminder of White Tara's loving-kindness and her promise to guide us through the challenges of life.How are Nepalese copper statues made?
Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique
small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two
thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws
influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and
therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the
icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures
evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some
characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other
pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual
features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and
ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have
tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual
purposes in their temples and monasteries.
Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and
therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they
age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues
is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and
sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment
protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax
method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most
practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process
involves many steps and requires skilled artists.
The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of
the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is
created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills
otherwise fine features will be lacking.
Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special
mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when
left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so
that the wax flows away when it is heated.
At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is
obtained.
This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which
is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold
water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed
and the statue within is revealed.
The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools.
It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.
Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold
gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A
mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the
statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that
mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold
finish.
The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique
for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details.
Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for
giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes
several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded
copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and
appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong
aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.
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