9" Dragon-Riding White Jambhala Idol | Copper Statue from Nepal

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9" Dragon-Riding White Jambhala Idol | Copper Statue from Nepal

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White Jambhala, recognized in Tibetan Buddhism as a deity associated with wealth and prosperity, is a part of the five Jambhala, each linked to different facets of abundance. White Jambhala specifically holds sway over material wealth and financial well-being. With one face and two hands, he holds a mongoose whose jewels flow from his mouth. This symbolizes the transformative power of turning ignorance and greed into wisdom and generosity, with a Katvanga staff resting on his shoulder. On the other hand, he holds a stick of gold, he is adorned with ornaments, and silk of various colors, riding on the back of a green dragon.

He might appear wrathful with facial expressions, on the back of the statue is a carving of “The wheel of the Law”. The hubs, spokes, and rim of a wheel represent the three facets of the Buddhist teachings: concentration, wisdom, and ethics. The ethical discipline that centers and stabilizes the mind is represented by the central hub. The pointed spokes stand for discriminating insight that penetrates ignorance.

The wheel's motion is both embraced and facilitated by the rim, which stands for contemplative attention. The eight spokes of this wheel stand for the Eightfold Noble Path of the Buddha and the teachings that are being imparted to the eight directions. The three swirls depicted in the central hub stand for the triumph over the three poisons of ignorance, desire, and aversion as well as the Three Jewels of the Buddha, dharma, and sangha.

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Specifications

	NLH028
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 12 inch
	Width: 10 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 2 kg

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.

The Majestic Presence of Jambhala

This striking copper statue from Nepal embodies the powerful deity Jambhala, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism associated with wealth and prosperity. Unlike the serene depictions often associated with deities of abundance, this representation is dynamic and fierce, reflecting the belief that even the pursuit of material well-being requires overcoming obstacles with strength and determination. The presence of the dragon, a symbol of power, good fortune, and control over elements in East Asian mythology, further amplifies this potent imagery. Jambhala, often referred to as the "King of Wealth," is believed to grant not only material riches but also the wisdom and merit to use them wisely and compassionately.

A Fiery and Auspicious Iconography

The deity is depicted with a fearsome countenance, adorned with multiple faces and eyes, signifying his all-seeing nature and his ability to perceive and overcome all hindrances to prosperity. He is encircled by a radiant aureole of flames, representing the transformative power of enlightenment and the burning away of negative karma. His posture is dynamic, astride a formidable blue dragon, a mount that symbolizes his dominion over worldly forces and his ability to navigate the turbulent currents of existence. The use of copper, a metal prized for its conductivity and perceived energetic properties, combined with intricate gold detailing, elevates this artwork to a sacred object. The craftsmanship showcases the deep spiritual and artistic traditions of Nepal, where such idols are meticulously created for devotion and meditation.

Cultural Significance and Devotion

In Tibetan culture, Jambhala is invoked by those seeking to improve their financial situation, overcome debts, and achieve success in their endeavors. However, the emphasis is not merely on accumulating wealth for its own sake, but on cultivating the generosity and wisdom to share it, thereby contributing to the well-being of all sentient beings. Tales speak of Jambhala bestowing his blessings upon devout followers, but also of his wrath towards those who are greedy or misguided in their pursuit of riches. This idol serves as a powerful reminder that true prosperity is a holistic state, encompassing both material security and spiritual fulfillment. Its presence in a home or place of practice can serve as a constant inspiration to cultivate positive qualities and to approach life with courage and equanimity, just as Jambhala confronts the challenges symbolized by the dragon and the flames. This piece is not merely an object of art, but a conduit for spiritual aspiration and a symbol of potent divine intervention in the realm of worldly abundance.

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.