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Tibetan Buddhist God Rahula from Nepal

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$3581.25

$4775

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In the Nyingma school of Himalayan Buddhism, Rahula is a wrathful protective deity, with nine ferocious faces stacked one upon the other and a giant gaping face on his torso. This gilded copper Nepalese statue of Rahula brings the majestic guardian deity on a jeweled platform, lined with skulls. A fiery aureole surrounds his dynamically positioned body, a raven on the skull crown adorns his head, and ornaments of severed heads enhance the ethereal appearance of his icon. Armed with multiple weapons, Rahula in this statue soothes and astounds the onlooker with his powers.

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Specifications

	MIS605
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 16 inch
	Width: 10 inch
	Depth: 7 inch
	Weight 5.80 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 days
	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 Manifestation of Power and Protection

This striking copper statue, adorned with a radiant gold plating, depicts Rahula, a formidable deity in Tibetan Buddhism, revered for his protective qualities and his association with overcoming obstacles. Originating from Nepal, a land steeped in rich spiritual traditions, this artwork is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship and profound iconography that define Himalayan Buddhist art. The statue captures Rahula in his awe-inspiring form, a visual representation of immense power and unwavering vigilance.

Iconography and Mythological Significance

Rahula's multi-headed and multi-eyed visage is central to his iconography, symbolizing his all-seeing nature and his ability to perceive all that transpires. The multiple faces, often depicted with fierce expressions, convey his wrathful aspect, intended to subdue negative forces and protect practitioners on their spiritual path. The numerous eyes signify his omniscience, leaving no room for deceit or hidden malice. In Buddhist lore, Rahula is sometimes associated with the planet Saturn, often seen as a bringer of challenges and karma. However, in his divine form, he is invoked to counteract these very influences, transforming adversity into spiritual progress. He is also known as a protector against black magic, curses, and other malevolent energies.

Artistic Mastery and Symbolic Detail

The artist has masterfully rendered Rahula's complex form with meticulous attention to detail. The central figure is surrounded by a blazing aura of flames, rendered in vibrant shades of red and orange, symbolizing his transformative power and the burning away of ignorance and suffering. His numerous arms are positioned in dynamic gestures, holding various symbolic implements that further illustrate his multifaceted role. The intricate detailing on his bodily adornments, from necklaces to bracelets, speaks to the wealth and sacredness associated with this powerful deity. The base of the statue is equally ornate, featuring intricate patterns that anchor the divine figure and suggest the earthly realm from which it emanates or over which it presides. The overall impression is one of immense power contained within a breathtakingly beautiful and spiritually significant artwork. This piece, crafted in Nepal, embodies the artistic lineage that has preserved and evolved these sacred traditions for centuries, bringing forth a tangible connection to the profound spiritual beliefs of the region.

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.