7" Vajravarahi Buddhist Gilded Copper Statue from Nepal

•

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.

7" Vajravarahi Buddhist Gilded Copper Statue from Nepal

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: 7" Vajravarahi Buddhist Gilded Copper Statue from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU166
Price: 760.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$712.50

$950

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Step into the sacred realm of Vajravarahi, a fierce and luminous figure in the tapestry of Vajrayana Buddhism. Known as the "Vajra Sow," she embodies the transformative power that turns passion and desire into wisdom on the profound journey to enlightenment. With her fierce countenance and symbolic imagery, Vajravarahi emerges as a powerful female deity, guiding practitioners through the alchemy of spiritual transformation.

In the visual language of Vajravarahi, the vajra signifies indestructible enlightenment, while the sow's head emerging from her own symbolizes the transcendence of dualities, transforming defilements into wisdom. Engaging in specific tantric practices devoted to Vajravarahi, practitioners seek to unravel the secrets of innate wisdom and compassion, acknowledging her as a potent force in the alchemical process of converting negativity into enlightened qualities on the sacred path to liberation.

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	MIU166
	Copper Gilded with Gold
	Height: 7.5 inch
	Width: 4 inch
	Depth: 2 inch
	Weight 900 gm

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 Fierce Compassion: The Vajravarahi Statue

This exquisite statue from Nepal captures the potent energy of Vajravarahi, a fierce and benevolent deity central to Vajrayana Buddhism. Crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with gold, this artwork radiates a powerful spiritual aura. Vajravarahi, whose name translates to "Vajra Sow" or "Diamond Sow," is revered as a dakini, a celestial being who guides practitioners on the path to enlightenment. Her form, though depicted with wrathful intensity, is ultimately an expression of profound compassion, meant to subdue obstacles and negative energies that hinder spiritual progress. The dynamic pose of the statue, with one leg raised and the other bent, suggests constant movement and an active engagement with the spiritual realm. This posture, known as the "prancing" or "dancing" posture, is symbolic of her ceaseless activity in liberating beings. She is often depicted surrounded by a halo of flames, representing the purification of defilements and the transformative power of wisdom. The intricate details of the flames, rendered in rich gold and deep red, highlight the dynamic spiritual energy she embodies.

Symbolism and Iconography

Vajravarahi is adorned with traditional Buddhist symbolism, each element carrying deep meaning. The crown she wears signifies her mastery and authority. In her hands, she typically holds a vajra (a ritualistic thunderbolt, symbolizing indestructibility and method) and a kapala (a skull cup, representing wisdom and the relinquishing of attachment). The presence of a sow's head, often integrated into her own or as a symbol of her essence, is multifaceted. It can represent her ferocity in eradicating ignorance and delusion, much like a sow rooting out impurities. Furthermore, it is associated with the earth element and fertility, signifying her role in nurturing spiritual growth. The various faces or masks depicted on the staff she wields further emphasize her multifaceted nature and her power over different aspects of existence.

Craftsmanship from Nepal

Originating from Nepal, a land steeped in rich Buddhist traditions and renowned for its skilled artisans, this statue is a testament to centuries of devotional art. The art of statue making in Nepal has been passed down through generations, preserving ancient techniques and aesthetic principles. The gilding process, carefully applied, enhances the divine presence of Vajravarahi, making the statue a captivating object of devotion and contemplation. The use of copper as the base material ensures durability and allows for fine detailing, while the gold appliqué imbues the piece with an auspicious radiance, inviting reverence and spiritual connection. This artwork is not merely a decorative item but a powerful conduit for invoking the blessings and protection of Vajravarahi.

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.