13" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Copper Statue from Nepal

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13" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Copper Statue from Nepal

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$534.75

$713

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Within Vajrayana Buddhism, Vajrasattva embodies the principle of purity and purification, capable of dispelling all forms of spiritual impurities, especially unfulfilled commitments to one's teacher and personal spiritual growth.

In Vajrasattva's left hand, he cradles a bell, which serves as a symbol representing a profound understanding of the genuine essence of reality. In his right hand, he firmly grasps a golden vajra, symbolizing the compassionate and skilful application of this insight to assist other beings. Adorned with opulent gold and jewel ornaments, including a crown, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, he is draped in rich silks. Seated in a vajra posture, he slightly sways to the left, resting upon a moon disc above a lotus.

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Specifications

	MIS683
	COPPER WITH GOLD PLATED
	Height: 13 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 2.80 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.

Embodying Purity and Enlightenment

This exquisite statue portrays Vajrasattva, a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, revered as the embodiment of purity and the master of all tantras. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail in Nepal, this piece showcases the profound artistic heritage of the region. The serene expression, the regal headdress, and the delicate adornments all speak to the spiritual significance of this deity. Vajrasattva is often invoked for purification rituals, believed to cleanse negative karma and mental obscurations, paving the way for enlightenment. His image serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for spiritual transformation that resides within all beings.

Iconography and Symbolism

The iconography of Vajrasattva is rich with symbolic meaning. He is typically depicted seated in a meditative posture, often in the vajra-posture, with his legs crossed and feet resting on his thighs. In his right hand, he holds a vajra (a ritual scepter representing indestructibility and skillful means), and in his left hand, he holds a ghanta (a bell representing wisdom and emptiness). The vajra and ghanta together symbolize the union of wisdom and compassion, the ultimate realization in Buddhist philosophy. In this particular representation, the posture and the objects held are indicative of his role as a dispenser of purification and a guide towards spiritual awakening.

Artistic Craftsmanship from the Himalayas

Hailing from Nepal, the land where Buddhism has flourished for centuries, this statue is a testament to the enduring skill of Himalayan artisans. The statue is cast in copper and embellished with gold plating, a combination that lends it a radiant and regal appearance. The intricate detailing on the garments, the jewelry, and the lotus throne showcases a mastery passed down through generations. Each element, from the gentle curve of the drapery to the serene lines of the face, is rendered with a profound understanding of Buddhist aesthetics and spiritual symbolism. The warm tones of the copper contrasted with the shimmering gold create a visually captivating piece that radiates a sense of peace and divinity.

A Focal Point for Meditation and Devotion

More than just an object of art, this statue of Vajrasattva is designed to be a focal point for meditation and devotion. Its presence in a home or meditation space can serve as a constant inspiration to cultivate purity of mind and heart. The act of gazing upon the deity and contemplating his qualities can help to quiet the mind, foster compassion, and deepen one's spiritual practice. In Tibetan Buddhism, deities like Vajrasattva are not seen as mere figures but as manifestations of enlightened qualities that practitioners can cultivate within themselves. This statue offers a tangible connection to these profound spiritual ideals, inviting a sense of tranquility and introspection into your surroundings.

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.