Tara is a significant
bodhisattva in Buddhism, particularly in Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhism, and she is
often depicted as a female figure.
Green Tara is typically
represented with a half-open lotus, symbolizing night. She is associated with
activity and is often depicted in a posture that signifies her readiness for
action. Green Tara is adorned with a multitude of ornate accessories, each
crafted from precious metals and gemstones, embellishing various parts of her
divine form.
These exquisite
ornaments consist of bracelets, armlets encircling her upper arms, a
resplendent necklace, intricate earrings, both a short necklace embracing her
neck and a longer one gracefully cascading down the front of her body, anklets,
and a host of other embellishments. These precious jewels serve as symbolic
representations of her exalted status as a divine being.
A Beacon of Compassion and Action
This exquisite statue depicts Green Tara, a revered bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, known as the "Mother of Liberation" and the "Goddess of Swift Action." Her name, Tara, is derived from the Sanskrit word for "star," signifying her role as a guiding light and protector, leading sentient beings across the ocean of suffering to the shores of enlightenment. In Tibetan Buddhism, she is one of the most popular and beloved deities, embodying the active, compassionate aspect of enlightenment.
According to legend, Green Tara manifested from a tear shed by the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara as he contemplated the suffering of the world. Her compassionate gaze and immediate willingness to help are central to her iconography. She is depicted as youthful and radiant, eternally sixteen years old, symbolizing her ever-present vitality and boundless compassion. Her green complexion signifies her active, emerald energy, representing her swift response to the prayers and pleas of those in need.Divine Grace and Artistic Mastery
This magnificent representation is crafted from copper, a sacred metal often used in religious art, and is meticulously embellished with gold plating. The lustrous gold accents highlight her divine radiance and the richness of her adornments, emphasizing her status as a celestial being. Her posture, seated in the relaxed lalitasana or royal ease pose with her right leg extended, signifies her readiness to descend and offer aid. The left leg is folded, symbolizing her meditative concentration. In her left hand, she holds the stem of a lotus, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, which blossoms beside her left shoulder, further reinforcing her divine nature and connection to the lotus tradition. Her right hand rests on her knee, palm facing outward, in the gesture of *vitarka mudra*, the gesture of debate or instruction, indicating her role as a spiritual teacher and protector.
The intricate details of the statue speak to the skill of the artisan. The delicate carving of her serene face, with half-closed eyes suggesting profound meditation and inner peace, draws the viewer into a state of contemplation. Her elaborate headdress and ornate jewelry, rendered with fine precision, are testaments to the meticulous craftsmanship and deep understanding of Buddhist symbolism. The rich, earthy tones of her robes contrast beautifully with the gilded embellishments, creating a visually captivating masterpiece that embodies both spiritual depth and aesthetic excellence. This statue is not merely an object of devotion but a work of art that radiates peace, protection, and the boundless compassion of Green Tara.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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