12" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrapani Statue from Nepal

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12" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrapani Statue from Nepal

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Name: 12" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrapani Statue from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU257
Price: 1715.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1608

$2144

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

This copper-and-gold Nepalese statue of Vajrapani is an ethereal image of the Buddhist protector deity and carries animation beyond words. An indelible image is created in this icon by the muscularity of a lunging Vajrapani, the sway in his posture, and the ferocity of his expressions. In this metal composition, the blazing aureole, strings of Vajrapani's girdle, tiger hide clothing, fire hair, and scarf all swing in unison to give us a sensation of movement. Vajrapani appears to be leaping at the barriers in the way of dhamma with superb energy while holding a Vajra and a rope in his hands.

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Specifications

	MIU257
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 12 inch
	Width: 8.5 inch
	Depth: 4.5 inch
	Weight 4.30 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 15 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 Embodiment of Immovable Strength: Vajrapani

This magnificent statue captures the awe-inspiring presence of Vajrapani, a principal deity in Mahayana Buddhism, renowned as the "Lord of Secrets" and the embodiment of the power of all Buddhas. Crafted from copper and lavishly gilded with gold, this piece radiates an inner luminosity, reflecting Vajrapani's radiant and potent energy. The intricate detailing speaks to the profound spiritual significance of this powerful protector. The fierce yet compassionate expression on Vajrapani's face, with its bared teeth and third eye, signifies his unwavering vigilance against ignorance and the forces that obscure enlightenment. His dynamic posture, poised for action, conveys his readiness to overcome obstacles and destroy all negativity. The blazing aura of fire that surrounds him symbolizes the purifying flame of wisdom, burning away all illusions and spiritual impurities. Each element of this statue, from the powerful musculature to the dynamic adornments, is meticulously rendered to evoke the divine power and protection that Vajrapani offers. In Buddhist cosmology, Vajrapani is often depicted as a wrathful manifestation of the Buddha's power, descended to protect the Dharma and guide sentient beings towards liberation. He is the spiritual heir of the Buddha and, along with Manjushri (wisdom) and Avalokiteshvara (compassion), forms a powerful trinity of bodhisattvas. Legends tell of Vajrapani's role in subduing powerful demons and negative forces, ensuring the safety of the spiritual path for practitioners. His association with the vajra, the thunderbolt scepter, represents the indestructible and ultimate truth that he wields. The very name "Vajrapani" translates to "vajra in hand," underscoring his mastery over this symbol of power and enlightenment. This statue serves as a powerful reminder of the inner strength and protective qualities that are available to all who seek them.

A Masterpiece of Nepalese Craftsmanship

Each aspect of this statue, from the base to the fiery halo, showcases the exceptional artistry of Nepalese artisans. The elaborate ornamentation, including the turquoise and red stone embellishments, adds vibrant accents to the lustrous gold surface, further enhancing its sacred aura. The textured patterns on the base and robes speak to a deep understanding of traditional iconographic representation and meticulous craftsmanship passed down through generations. Owning such a piece is not merely acquiring an object of beauty, but connecting with a rich cultural heritage and a profound spiritual lineage. This statue is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the exquisite skill employed to manifest it in physical form.

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.