(Tibetan Buddhist Deity) Vajrapani with Fire Aureole

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$688

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Specifications

	ZBK77
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 11 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 2.30 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Victorious Vajrapani

This exquisite copper statue depicts Vajrapani, one of the most ancient and powerful Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. Known as the "Vajra Holder," Vajrapani is revered as the embodiment of the power of all Buddhas. His name itself speaks to his formidable nature: "Vajra" refers to a thunderbolt or diamond, symbolizing indestructibility and supreme power, while "pani" means "in the hand." This powerful deity is a protector of the Dharma and a vanquisher of all obstacles, both internal and external.

A Fiery Aura of Protection

The statue is magnificently rendered with a vibrant fire aureole, symbolizing Vajrapani's fierce and all-consuming compassion that burns away ignorance and negativity. The flames, depicted in rich hues of red and orange, are edged with gleaming gold, creating a dynamic visual representation of his potent energy. This aureole is not merely an artistic flourish; it signifies Vajrapani's ability to purify and protect, much like a purifying fire. In Buddhist iconography, fire often represents wisdom that dispels darkness, and here it envelops Vajrapani, emphasizing his role as a guardian against spiritual and worldly adversities.

Divine Craftsmanship in Gold and Copper

Crafted from high-quality copper, this sculpture is meticulously gilded with 24-karat gold. The lustrous gold plating imbues the deity with a divine radiance, befitting his celestial status. The intricate details of Vajrapani's fierce expression, his muscular form, and the elaborate adornments are brought to life through this precious metal. His third eye, prominently displayed on his forehead, signifies his all-seeing wisdom. His energetic stance and forceful hand gestures convey his readiness to act against malevolent forces and offer solace to those in need. The base of the statue, adorned with lotus motifs, symbolizes purity and enlightenment, serving as a steadfast foundation for this powerful deity.

A Symbol of Strength and Enlightenment

Vajrapani's iconography is rich with meaning. He is often depicted in a wrathful form, not out of anger, but to represent his unwavering determination to protect the innocent and subdue negative forces. He is a guide for practitioners seeking to overcome their deepest fears and attachments, leading them towards the ultimate liberation. In ancient Indian mythology, the thunderbolt was a symbol of divine power wielded by Indra, the king of the gods. Vajrapani's association with this powerful implement links him to an archetypal force of nature and cosmic order. His presence in a devotional space serves as a constant reminder of the immense power available to overcome challenges and the profound wisdom that leads to spiritual awakening. This statue is a powerful testament to the enduring traditions of Tibetan Buddhist art and a potent symbol of protection and spiritual fortitude.

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.