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12" Kalachakra Wall Hanging from Nepal

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Name: 12" Kalachakra Wall Hanging from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIW566
Price: 240.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$207

$276

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	MIW566
	Copper
	Height: 12.8 inch
	Width: 10.9 inch
	Depth: 1 inch
	Weight 720 gm

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 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.

The Wheel of Time and Cosmic Harmony

This exquisite copper wall hanging from Nepal is a profound representation of the Kalachakra, the "Wheel of Time," a central and complex system within Tibetan Buddhism. More than just an artistic depiction, it serves as a visual mandala, a map of the cosmos and a tool for spiritual contemplation. Crafted with meticulous skill in the heart of Nepal, a land steeped in ancient spiritual traditions and artistic heritage, this piece embodies centuries of devotion and insight. The Kalachakra tantra, which translates to "teachings of the cycles of time," is a system that encompasses astrology, cosmology, philosophy, and advanced meditation practices. It is believed to offer a path to enlightenment by understanding and harmonizing the energies of the universe, including both internal and external time. The intricate details of this artwork are designed to evoke the profound symbolism inherent in the Kalachakra teachings.

A Symphony of Sacred Symbols

At the center of this piece, a densely worked symbol, possibly a syllable or a mantra, is enclosed within an ornate, multi-layered frame. This central element is often a representation of the ultimate reality or the essence of the teachings. Flanking this central motif, fierce protective deities, often depicted in dynamic poses, guard the sacred space. These figures are reminiscent of the wrathful manifestations found in Buddhist art, symbolizing the power to overcome obstacles and negativities. Along the sides, serpentine creatures, likely representing Nagas or divine dragons, coil around symbolic pillars. In many Asian mythologies, dragons are auspicious beings associated with water, celestial power, and protection. Their presence here suggests a connection to the cosmic forces that govern the cycles of existence. The border is adorned with auspicious symbols, such as vajras (thunderbolts or diamonds) and lotus blossoms, which represent indestructibility, enlightenment, and spiritual purity. Small, intricate panels scattered across the surface likely depict further protective deities or symbolic elements within the Kalachakra mandala, each holding a specific meaning within the vast cosmology.

Crafted with Devotion, Designed for Contemplation

The use of copper as the primary material lends a sense of earthy permanence and a rich patina that deepens with age, mirroring the enduring nature of spiritual knowledge. The contrasting metallic accents highlight the intricate details, drawing the viewer’s eye across the complex iconography. This wall hanging is not merely a decorative object; it is an invitation to engage with profound spiritual concepts, to meditate on the nature of time, causality, and the interconnectedness of all things. It is a testament to the enduring artistic and spiritual legacy of Nepal, offering a tangible link to ancient wisdom for modern contemplation.

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.