13" Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Copper Statue from Nepal

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MADE IN INDIA.

13" Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Copper Statue from Nepal

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$1622.25

$2163

25% off

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Specifications

	MIU245
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 13 inch
	Width: 10 inch
	Depth: 6 inch
	Weight 3.80 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 15 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, meticulously crafted from copper and gilded with radiant gold, captures the serene presence of Vajrasattva, a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism. Vajrasattva, often translated as "Vajra-Being" or "Diamond-Being," represents the pure and indestructible nature of enlightened mind. His iconography is rich with symbolism, signifying the overcoming of defilements and the attainment of ultimate purity. This 13-inch representation from Nepal is a testament to the skilled artistry and profound spiritual heritage of the region, designed to inspire contemplation and facilitate spiritual practice. –––––––––––––––––––

A Vision of Divine Grace

Adorned with a resplendent crown and elaborate jewelry, this statue portrays Vajrasattva in his celestial form. The intricate details of his royal attire, often depicted as flowing silks and precious ornaments, reflect his status as a supreme being and a Bodhisattva who embodies infinite compassion. The gentle expression on his face, with downcast eyes and a subtle smile, conveys a profound sense of peace and wisdom. His posture, typically seated in a meditative pose on a lotus throne, symbolizes spiritual awakening and the blossoming of consciousness. The golden hue of the statue evokes the radiant light of enlightenment, illuminating the path to liberation. –––––––––––––––––––

The Power of the Vajra

While not explicitly visible in this particular depiction without further context or crops, Vajrasattva is famously associated with the vajra, a ritual implement that symbolizes a thunderbolt and a diamond. The vajra represents the unshakeable, indestructible nature of Buddhahood and the sharp, piercing wisdom that cuts through ignorance and delusion. In many representations, Vajrasattva holds the vajra in his right hand, often against his heart, signifying the union of wisdom and skillful means. The bell, often held in his left hand, symbolizes the emptiness of all phenomena and the sound of the Dharma that awakens beings. Together, the vajra and bell represent the ultimate realization of non-duality. –––––––––––––––––––

A Sacred Offering

Rooted in ancient traditions, the creation of such statues is often accompanied by sacred rituals and consecrations, imbuing them with spiritual power. For practitioners, a statue of Vajrasattva serves as a powerful focal point for meditation and devotion. Reciting Vajrasattva mantras in the presence of his image is believed to purify negative karma and obstacles on the spiritual path. This statue, with its commanding presence and luminous finish, is more than just a decorative object; it is a conduit to spiritual power and a reminder of the inherent potential for enlightenment within all beings. It is a cherished item for any altar, meditation space, or collection of sacred Buddhist art, bringing a sense of peace, purity, and divine presence to any environment.

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.