See It In Your Home
Breathtakingly
sculpted as an earthly representative of goddess Green Tara’s mystical presence,
this copper statue from Nepal has been infused with life sculptor. On a
delicately shaped lotus, the lithesome form of Green Tara appears, holding lotuses
in her hand and smiling inwardly. She is adorned by exquisite Nepalese ornaments
and attired in a brocaded skirt that clings to her form. A diaphanous scarf
around her torso forms dreamy waves on her sides. The aura of goddess Green
Tara in this icon is mesmerizing, assuring the heart of her benevolence and enlightened
state.
The Radiant Form of Green Tara: A Symbol of Compassion and Swift Action
This exquisite copper statue captures the essence of Green Tara, a revered deity in Tibetan Buddhism, embodying compassion, protection, and swift action in overcoming obstacles. Crafted with meticulous detail in Nepal, this masterpiece is a testament to the enduring artistic traditions of the region, designed to inspire devotion and bring a sense of peace and spiritual grounding to any space.
The goddess is depicted in her characteristic posture, seated in the lotus position on a lotus blossom base, signifying purity and enlightenment. Her left leg is folded, while her right leg is gracefully extended, poised to descend from her seat to aid those in need. This dynamic pose symbolizes her readiness to act without delay, a hallmark of her compassionate nature. Her serene expression, with eyes downcast in a gentle gaze, conveys deep empathy and unwavering resolve.Iconography and Symbolism
Green Tara is often referred to as the "Mother of Liberation" and is believed to have emerged from a tear of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Her green complexion symbolizes her active, youthful energy and her connection to nature and growth. In her left hand, she holds the stem of a lotus flower, a potent symbol of her enlightened nature, blooming with the full moon on her right side. The lotus, which rises from the mud unstained, represents purity and the potential for enlightenment within all beings. Her right hand is extended in the boon-granting gesture (varada mudra), offering blessings, protection, and the fulfillment of wishes to her devotees. The intricate detailing of her divine adornments, including the crown and necklaces, speaks to her celestial status and the richness of her spiritual attributes.Artistry and Craftsmanship
This statue is a remarkable example of Nepalese metal artistry. The use of copper, a material valued for its malleability and durability, allows for the fine rendering of every detail, from the delicate folds of her garment to the expressive contours of her face. The patina achieved through the casting and finishing process lends a depth and warmth to the sculpture, enhancing its sacred aura. The adornments of turquoise and coral, inset with precision, add vibrant accents that further bring the divine figure to life. Such statues are not merely decorative objects; they are imbued with spiritual significance, serving as focal points for meditation and prayer, and are often passed down through generations as treasured heirlooms.A Beacon of Hope and Protection
Green Tara is invoked for protection against fear, danger, and suffering. Her devotees pray to her for the removal of inner and outer obstacles, for healing, and for the attainment of wisdom and spiritual realization. In tales and legends, she is often depicted as a swift protector, responding instantly to the calls of those in distress. This statue serves as a tangible reminder of her benevolent presence, offering a sense of comfort and reassurance to those who gaze upon it. It is a beautiful and powerful representation of a key figure in Buddhist cosmology, a divine being whose essence is unwavering compassion and tireless aid.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.
Upload an Image
