12" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Statue from Nepal

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12" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Statue from Nepal

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Name: 12" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva Statue from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: CAA017
Price: 990.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$928.50

$1238

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Vajrasattva is a prominent figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, symbolizing purity and the power of transformation. He can be seen holding a vajra (thunderbolt) in his right hand, symbolizing his indestructible nature. While in his left hand he holds a bell, representing wisdom. Vajrasattva can be observed adorned with jeweled ornaments, a crown, and a five-pointed vajra on his crown, symbolizing the five elements. He sits in a meditative posture on a lotus throne, signifying his transcendence of impurities and highlighting his association with the indestructible and unchanging nature of enlightenment.

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Specifications

	CAA017
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 12 inch
	Width: 9.5 inch
	Depth: 4.5 inch
	Weight 2.90 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.

Embodied Purity and Enlightenment: The Vajrasattva Icon

This exquisite 12-inch statue depicts Vajrasattva, a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, revered as the embodiment of purity, purification, and the primordial Buddha. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail from lustrous copper, which is then generously gilded with gold, this piece radiates an aura of divine serenity and spiritual significance. The statue originates from Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition, where artisans have honed their craft for centuries, producing works of exceptional quality and devotional depth. Vajrasattva is known as the Bodhisattva of Vajra (diamond/thunderbolt) essence, representing the indestructible nature of enlightenment. In Tibetan Buddhism, he plays a crucial role in tantric practices, particularly as the deity invoked during the Vajrasattva practice, a powerful method for purifying negative karma and obscurations. It is believed that reciting the Vajrasattva mantra (Om Vajrasattva Hum) while meditating on his form can cleanse even the most severe karmic defilements, paving the way for spiritual progress and liberation. The iconic imagery of Vajrasattva often portrays him seated in the lotus posture, holding a vajra scepter in his right hand and a bell in his left, symbolizing the union of wisdom and compassion, or skillful means and ultimate truth. –––––––––––––––––––

Iconographic Details and Spiritual Significance

The artistry of this statue captures the serene and compassionate countenance of Vajrasattva. His posture is one of deep meditation, seated with perfect grace upon a lotus base, symbolizing purity emerging from the muddy waters of samsara. The gold finish imbues the figure with a celestial glow, reflecting the radiant nature of spiritual awakening. The intricate crown adorning his head, set with vibrant turquoise and hints of red stones, signifies his status as a divine being and his mastery over the three realms. The elaborate halo behind him further emphasizes his transcendent nature, radiating wisdom and light. The specific iconography present in this piece, while closely adhering to the classic depiction, may hold subtle regional interpretations or stylistic nuances favored by Nepalese artisans. The delicate rendering of his adornments – the necklaces, bracelets, and armbands – speaks to the wealth of his spiritual accomplishments and the blessings he bestows. The serene expression on his face invites contemplation and introspection, encouraging the viewer to connect with their own innate potential for purity and enlightenment. This statue serves not merely as an object of devotion but as a powerful reminder of the path towards spiritual realization and the transformative power of the Vajrasattva practice. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Buddhist art and its profound ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit.

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.