Naga Kanya The Snake Woman

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

$550

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ZBI83
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8.5 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.90 kg

Delivery and Return Policies


	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.

A Divine Embodiment of Mystical Power

Behold a truly captivating work of art, a meticulously crafted copper statue gilded with the brilliance of 24 karat gold. This exquisite piece depicts a mythical being of profound spiritual significance, a testament to the rich tapestry of ancient lore. The figure is graced with wings, suggesting celestial flight and a connection to the heavens, while its serpentine lower body evokes the powerful and enigmatic forces of the earth.

Guardians of Wisdom and Waterways

In many Eastern traditions, serpent deities, or Nagas, are revered as guardians of hidden treasures, water bodies, and the earth's subterranean realms. They are often depicted with multiple heads, each representing different aspects of their power and wisdom. The Naga Kanya, or Snake Woman, embodies this dual nature, possessing both the beauty and grace of a divine feminine form and the formidable might of the serpent. Tales abound of Nagas bestowing boons, protecting kingdoms, and even taking human form to interact with mortals. This statue captures the essence of such a benevolent yet awe-inspiring entity, a symbol of protection, abundance, and spiritual insight. The serene expression and regal adornments speak of ancient knowledge and profound cosmic understanding.

A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship

The artistry of this statue is truly remarkable. Crafted from robust copper, it forms the foundation for a breathtaking display of gilded detail. The shimmering 24 karat gold highlights the intricate patterns of the ornate headdress, the delicate rendering of the wings, and the regal armor adorning the torso. The vibrant colors used to depict the serpentine scales and the fiery hues of the wings add a dynamic vitality to the piece, making it a striking focal point in any collection or sacred space. This is not merely a decorative item, but a conduit to ancient stories and spiritual contemplation, rendered with unparalleled skill and devotion.

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.