10" Tibetan Buddhist Incense Holder from Nepal

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Name: 10" Tibetan Buddhist Incense Holder from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIW575
Price: 155.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$178

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	MIW575
	Copper
	Height: 10.5 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 350 gm

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.

Embrace Tranquility and Sacred Aroma

Elevate your spiritual practice and home ambiance with this exquisite Tibetan Buddhist Incense Holder, meticulously crafted in Nepal. This striking piece serves as both a functional receptacle for your favorite incense and a profound symbol of devotion and peace. The rich, earthy tones of copper form the foundation of this devotional object, a material deeply revered in many traditions for its conductive properties and historical association with sacred rituals.

Craftsmanship Rooted in Tradition

Each element of this incense holder speaks of generations of artisanal skill passed down through Nepalese Buddhist communities. The cylindrical body is adorned with intricate metalwork, featuring alternating bands of decorative patterns and robust, stylized motifs. The prominent placement of the Snow Lion, a mythical creature symbolizing power, fearlessness, and unwavering spiritual strength, is a classic element in Tibetan Buddhist art. These powerful beings are often depicted guarding sacred sites and protecting devotees from obstacles. The detailed openwork sections allow for the gentle diffusion of fragrant smoke, creating an ethereal glow as your incense burns. The tiered top, capped with a delicate spire, evokes the imagery of a stupa, a dome-shaped structure containing relics, symbolizing the Buddha's enlightened mind and the path to liberation. The base of the holder is further embellished with what appear to be sacred syllables or mantras, contributing to its potent spiritual energy, and is further enhanced with striking turquoise and carnelian gemstones, known for their protective and healing qualities.

A Beacon of Serenity

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this incense holder is designed to enhance mindfulness and meditation. The gentle fragrance released by burning incense is believed to purify the environment, calm the mind, and aid in concentration. In Tibetan Buddhism, incense offerings are a way to purify the senses, clear negative karma, and generate merit. The act of lighting incense can be a powerful ritual, a moment to connect with the divine and set intentions for peace and well-being. Place this holder in your meditation space, altar, or any area where you seek a sanctuary of calm and spiritual reflection. Its presence serves as a constant reminder of the pursuit of inner peace and the beauty of ancient spiritual traditions. ––––––––––––––––––––

Cultural Significance and Symbolism

The art of incense making and its ceremonial use are deeply woven into the fabric of Tibetan culture, influenced by centuries of Buddhist philosophy and practice. Incense is not merely for pleasant scent; it is an integral part of offerings made to deities, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas, as well as a tool for cleansing spaces of negative energies. The Snow Lion, as seen on this holder, is one of the "Eight Auspicious Symbols" in Buddhism, representing balance and harmony. The intricate patterns often reflect mandalas, which are complex geometric diagrams that symbolize the universe and the journey towards enlightenment. By bringing this incense holder into your home, you are not just acquiring a decorative item, but a piece of living tradition, imbued with the spiritual aspirations of its creators and the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayas. It is a tangible connection to a lineage of practice that seeks to bring blessings and purification into the world.

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.