These deities are the fierce guardians of the Dharma and faithful defenders of Buddha. They exemplifly the transformation of the disciple, transmuting aggressiveness and violence into the forces of positiveness. That appearances can be deceiving and things often are not as they seem to be. This is doubly true of the wrathful Buddhist deities. They are terrifying in appearance, bare sharp tusks-teeth, glaring from various angry eyes, wearing crown of skulls and dance on human bodies.
This copper made breathtaking statue of Yamantaka, the 'Lord of Death '- an ambivalent ferocious deity in Vajrayana Buddhism, whose physical appearance is revealing: with a powerful black warrior's body, a leaping tongue in-between the protruding teeth and bulging eyes, extra large ears. wearing a five- skulled (khopdis) red crown, he is riding on the buffalo holding the khadaga in one hand and a very long and powerful pasha( knotted loop ) depicted in 2-3 bounds in second hand. It is a soft weapon representing the power of the deity to capture and bind evil and other obstacles. He symbolises the strength that destroys the illusion which hinders the attainment of enlightenment. Yamantaka is a violent aspect of the Bodhisattva, who assumed this form to Vanquish Yama.
Having wrapped a fierce snake over- the neck – to - stomach and baby snakes as bangles & kadas on hands and legs, he is also wearing a finely carved big haar landing on stomach embedded with some colourful gemstones. They are the teachers and protectors. Their monstrous looks are intended to frighten forces engaged in evil practices. They illustrate that the poisonous energy of negative emotions can be transformed into a positive purifying energy. A person who runs from them in fear is reborn in one of the lower realms. Let the statue speak of its princely artwork to you.
Embodying Fierce Compassion: A Tibetan Buddhist Wrathful Deity
This striking copper statue depicts a powerful wrathful deity from the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, masterfully crafted in Nepal. The deity is shown in a dynamic, forceful pose, conveying immense energy and unwavering determination. With its raised right arm wielding a golden sword and its left hand held in a gesture of empowerment, it embodies the protective and transformative aspects of spiritual practice. The vivid red mane, symbolic of fiery wisdom, frames a visage of intense expression, complete with a third eye that signifies profound insight and awareness. Intricate details, such as the skull ornaments adorning the headdress and the serpentine adornments around the neck and wrist, highlight the deity's mastery over fear and illusion, and its connection to the primal forces of existence.
––––––––––Symbolism and Spiritual Significance
Wrathful deities in Tibetan Buddhism are not figures of malevolence but rather manifestations of enlightened beings who adopt a fearsome appearance to overcome obstacles and negativities that hinder spiritual progress. They represent the awakened mind's capacity to confront and subdue ignorance, anger, attachment, and pride – the internal demons that bind sentient beings. The sword symbolizes the cutting away of ignorance, while the protective gestures and fierce countenance are intended to instill fear in negative forces and inspire devotees to overcome their own inner obstacles. These deities are often seen as guardians of the Dharma, protecting practitioners on their path to enlightenment, much like the celestial guardians described in ancient Indian epics who defend the gods from demons. The practice of meditating on wrathful deities is a potent method for purifying the mind and developing spiritual courage.
––––––––––Artistry and Craftsmanship
This exquisite statue is fashioned from high-quality copper, a material revered in Buddhist iconography for its auspicious properties and conductivity of spiritual energy. The intricate detailing, from the muscular form of the deity to the delicate inlay of turquoise and red stones, speaks to the skill and devotion of the Nepalese artisans who created it. The patina applied to the copper enhances its depth and texture, giving the deity a sense of ancient presence. The vibrant colors, particularly the fiery red and the contrasting dark tones of the deity's body, are carefully applied to emphasize key symbolic elements and bring the figure to life. The robust base upon which the deity stands is itself a work of art, featuring ornate carvings that anchor the divine presence and add to the overall aesthetic grandeur of the piece. This statue is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of the Himalayan region, a tradition deeply interwoven with spiritual practice 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.
Upload an Image
