The Namgyalma Thangka
depicts the Dakini of Longevity with her distinctive three faces, each adorned
with a third eye symbolizing heightened insight.
Her attire is
resplendent with precious jewels and ornaments, further emphasizing her divine
presence. With eight hands, she embodies the multifaceted nature of
enlightenment. Dakini Namgyalma holds the twin Dorje, a symbol representing the
physical cosmos's foundation, close to her chest. This empowering gesture
serves to dispel malevolent forces and enhance one's karma positively. In her
upper right hand, she gracefully clutches a statue of Amitabha
Buddha.
Moreover, she cradles an immortality vessel in her lap.
Embodying the Divine Feminine: A Masterpiece of Buddhist Artistry
This exquisite statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, presents Namgyalma, a revered manifestation of the female bodhisattva. More than just a decorative piece, it serves as a powerful conduit to spiritual contemplation, embodying the profound teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. The artistry and symbolism woven into every detail invite a deeper connection with the divine, offering solace, wisdom, and protection to those who behold it.
The sculpture showcases Namgyalma in her multi-faceted glory, with multiple faces and numerous arms, each holding significant objects. The central face emanates a serene and compassionate expression, eyes cast downwards in a gesture of profound empathy. Flanking her are two other faces, each with a distinct yet harmonious visage, representing the various aspects of her enlightened nature. The sheer number of arms signifies her boundless ability to help sentient beings, each hand capable of performing different compassionate actions and bestowing blessings.Iconography and Symbolic Significance
The objects held within Namgyalma's many hands are rich with meaning. In one hand, she cradles a small Buddha image, symbolizing her role as a protector of the Dharma and a source of wisdom. Another hand may hold a vajra, representing indestructible wisdom, or a bow and arrow, signifying her ability to pierce through ignorance and delusion with the arrows of wisdom. The postures and gestures of her hands, known as mudras, are equally important, conveying specific spiritual messages and intentions. The intricate gold plating adorifies the copper, enhancing the divine aura and highlighting the sacredness of the deity. The rich, earthen tones of the copper base are contrasted beautifully with the lustrous gold, creating a visual symphony that speaks of both earthly grounding and celestial radiance.A Testament to Nepalese Craftsmanship
Originating from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual traditions and renowned for its masterful metalwork, this statue is a testament to centuries of inherited skill and devotion. The artists who create these sacred objects are often deeply connected to the Buddhist faith, infusing their work with intention and reverence. The techniques used, passed down through generations, ensure that each statue is not merely a replica, but a unique expression of spiritual art. The base of the statue, often intricately carved and gilded, further enhances its grandeur and spiritual significance, providing a stable foundation for the divine form above. This particular piece, with its substantial size and opulent detailing, is a true statement of devotion and artistic excellence.Connection to Ancient Wisdom
Namgyalma, also known as Ushnishavijaya, is a powerful deity associated with longevity, purification, and the overcoming of obstacles. In Buddhist lore, she is invoked to remove karmic hindrances and to grant long life and good fortune. Her imagery is deeply rooted in tantric traditions, where her multiple heads and arms represent her multifaceted awareness and her ability to act swiftly and effectively on behalf of all beings. The worship of Namgyalma is believed to cleanse negative karma and bestow protection against untimely death and misfortune. This statue offers a tangible connection to these ancient practices and the profound philosophy of compassion and liberation that underpins Buddhist teachings.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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