13" Dorje Drolo Copper Statue from Nepal | Nepalese Copper Idols

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13" Dorje Drolo Copper Statue from Nepal | Nepalese Copper Idols

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Name: 13" Dorje Drolo Copper Statue from Nepal | Nepalese Copper Idols
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIS595
Price: 1075.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1008

$1344

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Dorje Drolo's appearance is fearsome, with a dark brown or maroon complexion. He has a single face with three round, piercing eyes and curly dark yellow hair, including an orange mustache, beard, and eyebrows. His upper fangs bite down on his lower lip, and his gaze is directed downward to the left. In his right hand, he holds a gold vajra poised for striking, while his left-hand thrusts a blue kila, which is a peg-like ritual implement traditionally made from meteorite iron.

Adorned with bone earrings and a necklace made of freshly severed heads, Dorje Drolo wears robes in various colors, reflecting the styles of both a layperson and a monk. He also dons ornate felt boots. His posture is characterized by a bent right leg and an extended left leg. He stands on a fierce tigress, an emanation of his consort Mandarava, surrounded by the blazing orange and red flames of pristine awareness.

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Specifications

	MIS595
	Copper
	Height: 13 inch
	Width: 9.5 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 3.90 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.

The Fierce Protector: Embodiment of Divine Power

This magnificent copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, captures the awe-inspiring presence of Dorje Drolo, a wrathful emanation of the revered Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). Dorje Drolo is a powerful protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism, renowned for his ability to overcome obstacles, subdue malevolent forces, and safeguard practitioners on their spiritual path. This exquisite rendition embodies his fearsome yet compassionate essence, inviting contemplation and offering a conduit for divine blessings. The artwork is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Nepal, where skilled artisans have for centuries channeled their devotion into creating sacred objects. The use of copper, a material historically associated with purity and conductivity in spiritual practices, lends a profound depth and resonance to the statue. The intricate detailing, from the fiery halo encircling the deity to the dynamic posture of Dorje Drolo and the powerful form of the tiger he subjugates, speaks volumes of the craftsman's mastery and spiritual understanding.

Iconography of Power and Subjugation

Dorje Drolo is depicted here in his iconic form, astride a fierce tiger, symbolizing the taming of primal energies and the conquest of ego and worldly attachments. The tiger, a creature of untamed ferocity, represents the wild, uncontrolled aspects of the mind and the external forces that can impede spiritual progress. By standing triumphantly upon it, Dorje Drolo signifies his absolute mastery over such hindrances. His wrathful visage, with bared fangs and piercing eyes, is not born of malice but of a profound, unwavering commitment to protect the Dharma and its followers from harm. In one hand, he wields a vajra, the thunderbolt scepter, a potent symbol of indestructible wisdom and the ultimate reality that cuts through ignorance and delusion. The other hand holds a ritual dagger, representing the power to sever negative karmic ties and liberate beings from suffering. The flaming aura that surrounds Dorje Drolo is emblematic of spiritual purification, transformative energy, and the boundless wisdom that illuminates the darkness of ignorance. It suggests a divine presence that is both potent and all-consuming for negative influences, yet a source of warmth and guidance for the devoted. The presence of smaller figures beneath the tiger, often interpreted as demons or vanquished negative forces, further underscores Dorje Drolo's role as a vanquisher of obstacles and a supreme protector.

A Patron of Spiritual Endeavors

In Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Dorje Drolo is invoked for protection against illness, accidents, and spiritual disturbances. He is particularly associated with overcoming the obstacles that arise in the path of spiritual realization. His fierce energy is believed to be instrumental in clearing the way for practitioners to attain enlightenment. This statue serves not merely as an object of aesthetic appreciation but as a sacred focal point for meditation, prayer, and the cultivation of inner strength and resilience. Its presence is a reminder of the ever-vigilant protective forces that watch over those who tread the spiritual path, offering solace and encouragement in times of adversity. The masterful execution of this copper sculpture ensures that it will be a treasured centerpiece in any devotional space, radiating the powerful blessings of Dorje Drolo for generations to come.

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.