Female Buddha Vajravarahi

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$295.50

$394

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Specifications

	ED95
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 7.3 inch
	Width: 4.4 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 950 gm

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Fierce Embrace of Wisdom

This meticulously crafted copper sculpture, gilded with radiant 24 karat gold, embodies Vajravarahi, the Diamond Sow, a powerful female Buddha in the Vajrayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Measuring 7.3 x 4.4 x 3.0 inches, this piece is more than a decorative object; it is a tangible representation of enlightened wisdom and fierce compassion. Vajravarahi is not merely a deity but a gateway to profound spiritual realization, her symbolism rich with meaning and transformative potential. Her dynamic pose, a vibrant dance upon a lotus base, immediately conveys her active engagement with the world. This posture symbolizes her unwavering commitment to guiding sentient beings toward enlightenment, dispelling ignorance, and liberating them from suffering.

A Goddess of Transformation

In Vajrayana Buddhism, Vajravarahi is celebrated for her ability to transmute negative emotions and destructive forces into wisdom and compassion. Her wrathful appearance, characterized by her fiery hair and third eye of wisdom, is not an expression of malice but a manifestation of her intense determination to overcome obstacles on the path to enlightenment. The skull cup she holds, filled with the blood of ego, represents the annihilation of self-centeredness and the embrace of universal compassion. The khatvanga, a staff she carries, is adorned with skulls and represents her mastery over death and the cycle of rebirth. It also symbolizes her union with her consort, Chakrasamvara, signifying the indivisibility of wisdom and compassion. Even the small sow's head emanating from her right ear speaks to a complex symbolic language. It links her to her origin, where she was an ordinary sow that had achieved enlightenment. Her capacity to achieve such feats is encouraging to practitioners, and highlights the capabilities within all beings.

Artistry and Devotion

The sculpture is rendered with incredible attention to detail. The 24-karat gold gilding highlights the intricate details of her adornments, from her flowing robes to her elaborate headdress, a testament to the devotion and skill of the artisans who created this piece. The texture and shading of the metalwork bring her fierce yet compassionate visage to life, allowing viewers to connect with the energy and presence of this powerful deity. The lotus base upon which she stands is more than just a pedestal; it is a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening. The lotus flower, emerging from the muddy depths, represents the potential for enlightenment that exists within all beings, regardless of their circumstances. Possessing and contemplating this exquisite sculpture can serve as a constant reminder of the transformative power of wisdom, and one's potential to realize that wisdom within.

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.