Mukhalinga with Snake Hood

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$189.75

$253

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Specifications

	EB07
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 7 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 750 gm

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

Shiva Lingam: An Icon of Cosmic Energy

At the heart of Hindu worship lies the Shiva Lingam, an abstract representation of Lord Shiva. Often found in temples and shrines, it embodies the divine energy and creative power of the universe. This sculpture is more than just an object; it is a portal to connect with the eternal, transformative force that Shiva embodies. A lingam typically consists of three parts: the base, known as the Brahma-pitha, the middle portion known as Vishnu-pitha and the upper part, the Shiva-pitha. These three are representative of the Holy trinity of Gods - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva respectively. This exquisite piece features a Shiva Lingam, gracefully adorned with a Mukha, the face of Lord Shiva, providing a more personal and relatable form to the abstract symbol. The addition of the Mukha allows devotees to focus on Shiva’s benevolent and compassionate aspects.

The Nagas' Protective Embrace

Adding to the magnificence is the five-headed Naga (serpent), gracefully arching over the Lingam. In Hindu mythology, Nagas are powerful serpentine deities, often associated with protection, fertility, and cosmic energy. Their presence here symbolizes the Kundalini energy, the primal life force residing at the base of the spine, and Shiva's control over it. One of the most famous stories involving the Naga is the tale of Vasuki, the serpent king, who offered himself as the rope in the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean. This event led to the emergence of Amrita (the nectar of immortality) and Halahala (poison). Lord Shiva consumed the poison to save the universe, holding it in his throat, which turned blue – thus earning him the name Neelakantha (the blue-throated one). The Nagas, therefore, are seen as intrinsic to Shiva's stories and his cosmic role. The five headed naga represents the five basic elements of nature.

Artistry in Copper and Gold

This stunning sculpture is meticulously crafted from copper, a metal revered for its conductivity and auspicious qualities. The entire piece is then gilded with 24 Karat gold, adding a layer of divine radiance and preciousness. The gold not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also imbues the sculpture with a sense of sacredness and reverence. This small sized statue, measuring 7.0 x 3.5 x 4.0 inches, is perfectly sized for personal shrines, meditation spaces, or as a captivating addition to any art collection. Each detail, from the serene expression on Shiva's face to the intricate scales of the Naga, is rendered with exceptional skill and devotion. It serves as a reminder of the divine presence in our lives, inviting peace, protection, and transformative energy.

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.