Green Tara's right
hand, in the Varada Mudra, signifies giving and granting sublime realizations,
while her left hand, in the Vitarka Mudra, represents the
Three Jewels (Sangha, Dharma, Buddha) or giving refuge. She holds blue Utpala
flowers, associated with the Moon and symbolizing longevity and relief from
suffering, in each hand. Seated with her left leg tucked up, symbolizing wisdom
and art, and her right leg extended, signifying readiness for action, she
embodies compassion, action, and the alleviation of suffering.
Green Tara's adornments hold
profound significance. Her preference for Diamonds, Clear Crystal, Malachite,
Emerald, Rose Quartz, and Watermelon Tourmaline (particularly pink and green
stones) in her jewelry symbolizes qualities like clarity, healing, compassion,
and spiritual growth. These precious gemstones emphasize her role as a
compassionate deity and amplify her ability to assist devotees in overcoming
suffering and obstacles.
The Verdant Radiance of Green Tara
From the sacred lands of Nepal, where the Himalayas touch the heavens, emerges this exquisite statue of Green Tara, a revered bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism. Crafted from pure copper and adorned with a lustrous gold plating, this masterpiece embodies the compassionate and active aspect of the divine feminine. Green Tara is known as the "Mother of Liberation" and the "Goddess of all Accomplishments," representing swift action and the dispelling of fear and obstacles. Her vibrant green hue symbolizes flourishing life, healing, and her ability to respond instantly to the prayers of those in need.
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Symbolism and Divine Grace
This magnificent depiction captures Green Tara in her iconic posture, seated in the lotus position atop a richly decorated base. Her right hand rests on her knee in the gesture of granting boons (Varada mudra), offering blessings and abundance, while her left hand, held at her heart in the gesture of refuge (Abhaya mudra), signifies protection and fearlessness. In her left hand, she holds the stem of a lotus flower, which blooms vibrantly over her left shoulder. This lotus symbolizes her purity and her ability to emerge unstained from the worldly attachments. The presence of auspicious lotuses on either side of her, in full bloom, further emphasizes her connection to nature's regenerative power and the unfolding of spiritual growth. Her serene expression, adorned with a subtle third eye on her forehead, conveys profound wisdom and boundless compassion.
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Artistry and Devotion
The intricate craftsmanship of this statue is a testament to the enduring artistic traditions of Nepal. Every detail, from the delicate folds of her silken garments to the elaborate ornamentation of her crown and jewelry, speaks of a devotion passed down through generations. The copper base provides a solid foundation, while the gold plating imbues the deity with a celestial glow, reflecting her enlightened nature. The subtle color variations in her attire add depth and realism, making this a truly captivating work of art. This statue is not merely an object of beauty, but a focal point for meditation, prayer, and a constant reminder of Green Tara's vigilant presence, ready to offer solace and guidance to all sentient beings. Its imposing yet graceful presence makes it a commanding and inspiring addition to any sacred space or collection.
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.
