8" Sitting Lord Shiva Copper Statue from Nepal

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8" Sitting Lord Shiva Copper Statue from Nepal

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$844

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Shiva, revered as the auspicious one and also known as Mahadev, holds a central and revered position in Hindu mythology. The statue depicts Lord Shiva seated on a platform adorned with a tiger skin, symbolizing the triumph of celestial power over primal instincts.

In this portrayal, Lord Shiva is shown with a Trishula (trident), symbolizing his power over creation, preservation, and destruction. He holds a Damru (small drum), representing the rhythm of the cosmos. Around his neck, the mighty serpent king Vasuki signifies his control over destructive forces. The third eye on his forehead symbolizes wisdom, insight, and the destruction of ignorance.

Adorned with rudraksha beads, Lord Shiva embodies the divine essence. He is believed to be descended from the ancient deity Rudra, worshiped in the Indus Valley during Vedic times. Hinduism reveres three principal deities responsible for the cosmic cycle of creation, maintenance, and dissolution, with Shiva playing a pivotal role in the cycle of transformation and regeneration.

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Specifications

	MIS566
	Copper
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 6.5 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 1.60 kg

Delivery and Return Policies


	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.

Embodiment of Divine Serenity

This exquisite copper statue captures Lord Shiva in a posture of profound meditation, exuding an aura of peace and spiritual wisdom. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail in Nepal, a land steeped in rich religious traditions, this artwork serves as a powerful symbol of the divine. Lord Shiva, revered as the destroyer and transformer within the Hindu trinity, is also known for his asceticism and deep yogic practices. This representation highlights his serene aspect, often depicted in deep contemplation in his abode on Mount Kailash. The statue portrays Shiva seated in a meditative pose, his eyes gently closed in introspection, a subtle smile gracing his lips. His attire and adornments speak of his ascetic nature, yet also his royal status as the Lord of the Universe. The multi-layered beaded necklaces and the coiled locks of hair piled high are characteristic iconography that devotees will readily recognize. The presence of the Trishul, his iconic trident, held aloft by his side, signifies his power over the three aspects of time—creation, preservation, and destruction—and his role in maintaining cosmic balance.

Artistry and Symbolism

The choice of copper as the medium imbues the statue with a timeless quality, its warm tones developing a unique patina over time, mirroring the enduring nature of Shiva's presence. The craftsmanship evident in the fine etchings of his garments and the delicate rendering of his facial features showcases the skill of Nepalese artisans who have preserved ancient artistic traditions for centuries. The base of the statue is adorned with a fierce visage, possibly representing a demon or a symbol of ego being subdued by divine consciousness, underscoring Shiva's role as the conqueror of negativity. In Hindu mythology, Shiva is often depicted in deep meditation, a state from which immense cosmic energy is said to originate. It is during these meditations that he achieves profound insights and orchestrates the cycles of the universe. The gesture of his raised hand, palm facing outwards, is known as Abhaya Mudra, signifying fearlessness and protection. This posture reassures devotees, indicating that Lord Shiva is a protector and guardian against all adversities. This statue, therefore, is not merely an object of art but a conduit for spiritual connection, inviting contemplation and invoking blessings of peace, strength, and 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.