Gilded Copper Vajrapani Statue from Nepal

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Gilded Copper Vajrapani Statue from Nepal

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$5916

$7888

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Vajrapani in Buddhism is the deity who holds the supreme wisdom of the Vajra in his hands and has the ability to cut through the illusion of the world with his benevolent gaze. This gilded copper Vajrapani statue from Nepal shows the Bodhisattva with an elaborate hairdo, exquisite five-crested crown, beautiful stone studded ornaments, and delicate garments that create heavenly folds around his form. The countenance of Vajrapani glows spiritually and carries a moving calmness. Enthroned on an intricately decorated lotus platform, Vajrapani blesses the devotee with Buddha’s pure wisdom.

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Specifications

	MIU371
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 21 inch
	Width: 16 inch
	Depth: 8 inch
	Weight 11.40 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.

Embodiment of Vajra Power and Wisdom

This exquisite statue captures the formidable presence of Vajrapani, a revered Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, known as the "Vajra Holder." Vajrapani is the embodiment of the Buddha's power and the force that overcomes all obstacles, both internal and external. His name itself derives from "vajra," a Sanskrit term for a thunderbolt or diamond, symbolizing his indestructible nature and piercing wisdom. In Buddhist cosmology, Vajrapani is often depicted as a protector of the Dharma, fiercely guarding against ignorance and delusion, much like the mythological Indra wielded his thunderbolt to vanquish demons.

Masterful Craftsmanship from Nepal

Hailing from the spiritual heartland of Nepal, this statue is a testament to the country's rich artistic heritage and profound Buddhist traditions. Crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with pure gold, the sculpture radiates a divine luminescence, reflecting the inner radiance of Vajrapani himself. The use of copper as a base material is significant, as it is believed to possess purifying properties, while the gold gilding signifies spiritual purity, enlightenment, and royalty. The intricate detailing of the robes, the serene yet powerful facial expression, and the ornate crown all speak to the skill and devotion of the Nepalese artisans who brought this divine form to life.

Symbolism and Aura

The posture of the statue, seated in a meditative pose, signifies deep contemplation and inner strength. The adorned crown and jewelry suggest his elevated status as a celestial being. The small image of a Buddha figure often seen in Vajrapani's lineage, symbolizing his connection to the enlightened ones, is subtly integrated here, signifying that true power arises from profound wisdom and compassion. The elaborate lotus throne upon which he sits is a universal symbol of purity and spiritual awakening, representing the blossoming of enlightenment from the mud of samsara. This statue is not merely an object of art but a powerful spiritual icon, intended to inspire devotees and invoke the protective energies of Vajrapani.

A Vision of Divine Protection

The presence of Vajrapani is particularly significant as he is considered the patron of the Shakya clan, the lineage from which Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, hailed. Legend has it that Vajrapani appeared to the Buddha in the form of a white yak to offer him nourishment during his arduous ascetic practices. This connection reinforces Vajrapani's role as a steadfast protector and supporter of the path to enlightenment. His fierce demeanor, often depicted in other forms with a wrathful expression, is tempered in this representation by a serene calm, conveying that true power is often found in equanimity and unwavering resolve. This statue serves as a potent reminder of the inherent strength and resilience that can be cultivated through spiritual practice.

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.