Vajravarahi (Tibetan Buddhist Deity)

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$450

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZBJ19
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 5.5 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 1.5 inch
	Weight 300 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Fierce Wisdom and Transcendent Power

This exquisite copper statue, meticulously gilded with pure 24 karat gold, portrays Vajravarahi, a profound and revered deity within Tibetan Buddhism. Vajravarahi, meaning "Diamond Sow" or "Thunderbolt Sow," is an important dakini, a celestial being who embodies wisdom and power. Her form is a potent symbol of overcoming obstacles and transforming negative emotions into enlightened wisdom. The statue captures Vajravarahi in her dynamic and active posture, her right leg extended and her left bent, signifying her readiness to move and conquer. She is often depicted with a sow's head emerging from her own, symbolizing her fierce nature and her ability to root out ignorance and delusion. The multiple eyes on her face represent her all-seeing awareness, her ability to perceive the true nature of reality from all angles. Her flaming aura, intricately rendered in the gilding, represents her radiant wisdom that burns away darkness and illusion.

Mythological Significance and Iconography

In Tibetan Buddhist lore, Vajravarahi is considered a manifestation of primal wisdom and the ultimate feminine principle. She is a fierce protector, a guide for practitioners on the path to enlightenment, and a powerful force against the forces that obstruct spiritual progress. She is often associated with the Tantric practice of Chöd, where practitioners symbolically offer their own bodies to overcome attachment and self-grasping. Her iconography is rich with meaning: the vajra (diamond scepter) in her hand signifies her indestructibility and her connection to the diamond-like clarity of awakened mind. She is often depicted trampling on a defeated demon or ego, representing her victory over the internal obstacles that hinder spiritual liberation. This statue, through its detailed craftsmanship, brings forth the power and spiritual depth of this significant deity. The use of gold imbues the statue with a divine radiance, reflecting the celestial nature of Vajravarahi and the preciousness of the wisdom she represents.

A Masterpiece of Devotional Art

Crafted from durable copper and adorned with a generous layer of 24 karat gold, this statue is not merely an object of art but a conduit for spiritual energy. The meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of its creation, from the subtle curves of her form to the sharp definition of her facial features and the flowing drapery of her garments, speaks to the skill of the artisan. The golden sheen not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also symbolizes the purity and auspiciousness associated with the divine. Its compact size makes it an ideal addition to any altar, meditation space, or sacred corner, allowing for personal devotion and contemplation. Holding this representation of Vajravarahi can serve as a constant reminder of the inner strength and wisdom available to us all, encouraging us to face our own challenges with courage and clarity.

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.