10" Two Armed Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Statue From Nepal

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10" Two Armed Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Statue From Nepal

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Name: 10" Two Armed Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Statue From Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU382
Price: 1325.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1242

$1656

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

This magnificent Nepalese Mahakala statue, which depicts the great Buddhist deity trampling death beneath his foot, is so exquisitely crafted that it prompts one to write in admiration of its etherealness. Mahakala is adorned with serpents that dangle from his swaying torso, and a gaping mouth, which he uses to devour bad energies, like an infinite, black cave. The composition has a sense of drama that is heightened fourfold by the spectacular golden fiery aureole, which is accompanied by wide eyes and colored brows, stunning and stilling the heart, at once.

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Specifications

	MIU382
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 10 inch
	Width: 7.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 2.40 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 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.

Embodiment of Fierce Compassion and Protection

This exquisite statue, crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with gold, stands as a powerful representation of Mahakala, a fierce protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism. The intricate details and radiant finish speak to the devotional artistry of its Nepalese creators. Mahakala, meaning "Great Black One," is revered as a manifestation of compassion, transcending ordinary understanding to overcome obstacles and negative forces. His wrathful appearance is not one of anger, but a fierce, protective energy directed towards ignorance, attachment, and aversion, the very roots of suffering. ––––––––––––––––––––

Mythological Significance and Iconography

The iconography of Mahakala is rich with symbolism. The multiple faces and arms represent his all-pervading awareness and ability to act in countless ways to protect practitioners. His ferocious expression, often depicted with bared fangs and bulging eyes, signifies his victory over negativity and his readiness to confront delusion. The flames emanating from him symbolize the fire of wisdom that burns away impurities and illusions. In one hand, he often holds a ritual staff or vajra, representing indestructible wisdom, and in another, a skull-cup, symbolizing the transformation of negative emotions. This statue, with its powerful posture and detailed rendering, captures the dynamic and formidable presence of this guardian deity. ––––––––––––––––––––

A Beacon of Spiritual Power

This striking statue serves as a potent reminder of the boundless compassion that lies at the heart of Buddhist teachings. Mahakala's role is to clear the path for spiritual progress, removing inner and outer obstacles that hinder enlightenment. He is invoked for protection against fear, harm, and negativity, offering a source of strength and reassurance for those on the spiritual journey. The golden sheen of this sculpture imbues it with a divine aura, inviting contemplation and devotion. It is a testament to the enduring traditions of Tibetan Buddhist art, where each element and posture conveys profound spiritual meaning, making it a focal point for meditation and a powerful symbol of protection and spiritual awakening in any sacred space.

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.