13" Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Copper Statue from Nepal | Authentic Nepalese Sculpture

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13" Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Copper Statue from Nepal | Authentic Nepalese Sculpture

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$703.50

$938

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Radiant in pristine copper-gold, Vajrasattva belongs to the Aksobhya Vajra family, a lineage that also houses Vajrapani. Typically portrayed as a serene youth, he dons resplendent silks and jewels reminiscent of an opulent prince.

In his right hand, he holds the vajra close to his heart, while his left hand adorns a bell encircling his waist. The bell symbolizes Wisdom, the vajra embodies Reality and Compassion. His left-hand bell represents knowledge, while the vajra in his right signifies technique—a parallel to Vajradhara, his emanation. Sometimes depicted with one leg extended, he wears five jeweled crowns, golden silk drapes, and ornate body adornments—necklaces, earrings, bracelets, anklets, and a girdle—reminiscent of his transcendent stature.

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Specifications

	CAA176
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 13.5 inch
	Width: 10 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 3.30 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Purity and Enlightenment

This exquisite statue depicts Vajrasattva, a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, revered as the embodiment of purity and the master of all tantras. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual tradition, this masterpiece of copper with gold inlay captures the serene power and profound compassion of this celestial being. Vajrasattva is known by many names, including Dorje Sempa in Tibetan and Kongō Shō in Japanese, and his presence is invoked to purify negativities and obstacles on the path to enlightenment. The iconography of Vajrasattva is rich with symbolism. He is often depicted in a seated posture of meditation, his body radiating a gentle glow. In his right hand, he holds a vajra, the thunderbolt scepter, symbolizing indestructible wisdom and the power to cut through ignorance. In his left hand, he holds a vajra bell, representing the melodious voice of the Buddha, which awakens beings from their slumber of delusion. His serene countenance, with half-closed eyes, suggests deep introspection and boundless awareness. This particular rendition showcases the deity adorned with a jeweled crown and ornate bodily ornaments, signifying his divine status and his role as a Bodhisattva, one who delays their own nirvana to help all sentient beings achieve liberation.

A Legacy of Divine Craftsmanship

The creation of such a statue is a sacred act, an offering of devotion and skill. Nepalese artisans have honed their craft over centuries, passing down techniques and traditions that imbue each sculpture with a unique spirit. The meticulous attention to detail, from the delicate rendering of the lotus throne upon which Vajrasattva rests to the intricate patterns adorning his robes, speaks to the deep reverence and expertise involved. The use of copper, known for its enduring nature, and the shimmering gold inlay, which signifies purity and luminosity, elevate this piece to a level of spiritual significance and artistic excellence. The striking contrast between the dark, matte finish of his robes and the brilliant gold of his face and ornaments creates a captivating visual dialogue, drawing the viewer into the meditative presence of the deity. The lotus throne, a universal symbol in Buddhism, represents the purity of the mind that can blossom above the muddy waters of worldly desires. The multiple layers of the throne, with their stylized motifs, further amplify the sense of divine presence and spiritual elevation. This statue is not merely an object of art; it is a conduit for spiritual energy, a focal point for meditation, and a tangible connection to the profound teachings of Buddhist philosophy. Its presence can inspire peace, clarity, and the aspiration for inner transformation, making it a cherished addition to any sacred space or personal altar.

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.