The
compassionate mother-queen, Tara in her green manifestation is the night
herself! Tara is the savior from all the adversities and is hailed as the
mother of Buddhas of all three times in her Tantra Sadhana. In this exquisite Nepalese idol of
Gold-plated Copper, Tara is depicted in the delicacy of a youthful woman -
seated in a Padmasana on her Utpala, she’s adorned with regal jewelry and the
traditional tiara of five gems. In the fine fluttering silks and shooting buds
of divinity - she extends a hand in the generous Varada mudra, as the other
hand forms the three fingers mudra for holding the Padma.
Embodiment of Compassion and Action
This magnificent statue of Green Tara, a revered goddess in Tibetan Buddhism, is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of Nepalese artisans. Cast in copper and richly gold-plated, it radiates a divine aura, inviting contemplation and devotion. Green Tara is known as the "Mother of Liberation" and is considered a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Her presence is believed to dispel fear, alleviate suffering, and offer protection from all worldly dangers. The statue captures her in a posture of graceful readiness, seated upon a lotus throne, with her right leg extended, signifying her active engagement in helping beings overcome obstacles.
––––––––––The Radiant Form of Tara
The intricate details of this sculpture speak to the devotion and skill invested in its creation. Green Tara is depicted with a serene countenance, her eyes downcast in loving kindness, and a gentle smile gracing her lips. Her elaborate crown and adornments, fashioned with meticulous detail, symbolize her celestial status. The radiant gold plating not only enhances her divine beauty but also represents the purity and enlightenment she embodies. In her left hand, she holds the stem of a lotus flower, a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening, blooming at her shoulder. Her right hand is held in the *varada mudra*, a gesture of granting boons and fulfilling wishes, further emphasizing her role as a benevolent protector.
––––––––––Myths and Symbolism of the Green Goddess
According to legend, Tara manifested from a single tear shed by Avalokiteshvara as he wept for the suffering of the world. The tear formed a lake, and from its waters arose a lotus, which opened to reveal the beautiful Green Tara. Her green complexion signifies her active, dynamic nature, representing the green shoots of new life and growth. She is often depicted with twenty-one forms, each embodying specific attributes and powers to overcome different challenges. This particular representation encapsulates her essence as a swift and powerful liberator, a beacon of hope for all sentient beings. The lotus throne upon which she sits symbolizes purity and enlightenment, suggesting that even amidst the mire of worldly existence, spiritual awakening is possible.
––––––––––A Masterpiece from the Himalayas
Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition, this statue is more than just an object of art; it is a sacred vessel imbued with spiritual significance. The rich patina and the detailed casting reflect generations of artistic heritage. The use of copper as the base material is traditional for Buddhist iconography, prized for its conductivity and ability to hold intricate designs, while the gold plating signifies supreme divinity and auspiciousness. This impressive piece, standing at 19 inches, will be a commanding and inspiring presence in any sacred space, altar, or meditation room, serving as a constant reminder of compassion, protection, and the potential for liberation.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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