Kakasya - The Crow Headed Yogini

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$2063

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Specifications

	RJ15
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 13.8 inch
	Width: 9.5 inch
	Depth: 4.2 inch
	Weight 4.10 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Fierce Protector: Embodiment of Wisdom and Power

This exquisite copper sculpture, meticulously gilded with 24 karat gold, depicts a powerful and awe-inspiring deity, a guardian of profound spiritual truths. The figure is characterized by its striking crow's head, symbolizing sharp intellect, keen observation, and the ability to see through illusion. In many ancient cultures, crows are seen as messengers, possessing a dual nature—both earthly and celestial. Their presence often signifies transformation and the ability to navigate the liminal spaces between worlds. The deity's dynamic posture, with one leg raised and the other firmly planted, conveys a sense of primal energy and unwavering resolve. The outstretched wings, rendered with incredible detail and gilded accents, suggest dominion over the skies and the capacity to intervene swiftly in times of need. The intricate carvings and embellishments adorning the body speak to the divine and the sacred. Notice the multiple faces, each representing a different facet of consciousness and awareness, hinting at the deity's omniscience and all-encompassing vision. The third eye, prominently displayed on the forehead, signifies awakened insight and the ability to perceive reality beyond the ordinary senses.

Mythological Resonance and Spiritual Significance

This representation draws heavily from tantric traditions, where fierce deities are not figures of malice but rather potent symbols of enlightened energy that swiftly cut through ignorance and negative karma. The crow, in particular, is often associated with Dakinis, celestial beings who embody feminine wisdom and transformative power. These figures are said to emerge from the celestial realms to guide practitioners and protect them from spiritual obstacles. The figure's wrathful aspect serves as a powerful metaphor for the uncompromising nature of truth and the need to confront and overcome inner demons. The act of trampling on a smaller, supplicating figure beneath its foot is a common motif in Buddhist iconography, representing the subjugation of ego, ignorance, or negative forces. This subjugation is not an act of cruelty, but rather one of liberation, freeing the individual from the chains of delusion. The offering held in the deity's hand, often a skull bowl filled with nectar or wisdom, symbolizes the consumption and transmutation of negative energies into spiritual power and insight.

Artistry and Craftsmanship

Crafted from high-quality copper, this sculpture is a testament to the enduring skill of master artisans. The application of 24 karat gold gilding imbues the piece with a radiant glow, elevating its spiritual aura and aesthetic appeal. The contrasting textures and the skillful interplay of shadow and light highlight the intricate details of the design, from the sharp angles of the crow's beak to the delicate curls of the ornamentation. Each element has been carefully shaped and finished, resulting in a work of art that is both visually striking and spiritually resonant. This magnificent piece serves as a powerful reminder of the wisdom, strength, and transformative potential that resides within us all.

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.