Tibetan Buddhist Deity Kubera on a Snow Lion (Made in Nepal)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

$1925

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ZEM665
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 14 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 11 inch
	Weight 5.30 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.

Embodying Wealth and Protection

This exquisite statue depicts Jambhala, also known as Kubera, the benevolent deity associated with wealth, prosperity, and wisdom in Buddhist traditions. Seated majestically upon a powerful snow lion, a creature of the Himalayas renowned for its strength and purity, Kubera exudes an aura of regal authority and divine grace. The snow lion, with its fierce yet noble countenance and flowing mane, symbolizes the subjugation of ego and the triumph of spiritual awareness. In Tibetan Buddhism, Kubera is revered not merely as a god of material riches, but as a dispenser of spiritual abundance, offering protection from poverty and misfortune.

A Testament to Craftsmanship and Devotion

Meticulously crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in centuries of spiritual artistry, this sculpture is a masterpiece of traditional metalwork. The core of the deity and his mount are cast in copper, a sacred metal revered for its purity and conductive properties, believed to amplify spiritual energies. The entire sculpture is then lavishly gilded with 24 karat gold, a symbol of ultimate purity, enlightenment, and divine radiance. The vibrant pigments adorning the deity's robes, the flames of enlightenment emanating from behind him, and the intricate details of the snow lion's mane showcase the skill of Nepalese artisans who pour their devotion into every stroke. The multi-faceted gemstones and intricate adornments further enhance the divine presence of Kubera, inviting contemplation and spiritual connection.

Kubera's Legacy and Significance

Kubera holds a significant place in the pantheon of Buddhist deities. He is often depicted with a potbelly, signifying the abundance he holds, and sometimes holding a mongoose that disgouges jewels, symbolizing the inexhaustible flow of wealth. In some tales, he is described as the king of the Yakshas, a class of nature spirits who guard treasures. His presence is invoked to overcome greed, cultivate generosity, and foster a balanced relationship with material possessions, recognizing them as tools for good rather than ends in themselves. The snow lion upon which he rests is also a potent symbol, often associated with Shakyamuni Buddha, representing courage and fearlessness in the face of adversity. This powerful imagery makes the statue a profound representation of both worldly success and spiritual well-being.

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.