The 13"
Seated Goddess Green Tara from Nepal is a remarkable depiction of the revered
deity. Green Tara, an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism,
is known for her compassionate and nurturing nature. This exquisite statue
showcases her unique iconography, with her right hand in the gesture of
granting protection and her left hand holding a lotus, symbolizing purity. Green Tara
is worshipped for her ability to grant wishes and provide swift assistance in
times of distress. Bringing this sacred statue home invites blessings,
compassion, and a sense of tranquility, making it a meaningful addition to any
spiritual space.
A Vision of Compassion
Behold the embodiment of active compassion, meticulously crafted in Nepal. This exquisite statue captures the serene presence and potent energy associated with the revered Buddhist deity, and represents the earthly manifestation of Avalokiteśvara. The statue is more than just a work of art; it's a tangible representation of a profound spiritual ideal.
The Goddess of Swift Aid
According to Buddhist tradition, she arose from a tear shed by Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, out of sadness over the suffering of the world. Vowing to dedicate herself to relieving the world's sorrows, Tara embodies swift assistance, readily answering the calls of those in need. She is known as the "Mother of Liberation," rescuing beings from physical, emotional, and spiritual dangers. Her green complexion symbolizes activity and willingness to act. She is always depicted as youthful, conveying her boundless energy and vitality. Her right hand extends in the gesture of varada mudra signifying charity, giving, and compassion. While her left hand is in the gesture of protection.
Artisan Craftsmanship
This statue is cast in copper and meticulously gilded with gold, showcasing the dedication and skill of Nepalese artisans. Each line and curve has been rendered with careful attention to detail, capturing the essence of feminine grace and divine power. The statue’s weight and balance speak to the quality of materials and the artistry involved. It would make a beautiful reminder of compassion and wisdom in any home, or as an object of devotional focus.
Ornamentation & Form
Seated in the lotus position on an intricate lotus throne, the statue radiates serenity and power. Her crown is adorned with semi-precious stones, adding splashes of vibrant color to the gleaming gold. The crown itself represents the deities and buddhas, a visual reminder of her enlightened status. She holds the stem of a lotus flower in each hand, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. The elaborate details of her jewelry, robes, and the lotus throne further enhance the statue’s visual appeal.
Material Composition & Dimensions
The statue measures 13.0 inches in height, 10.5 inches in width, and 8.5 inches in depth. The copper body is gilded with gold. It serves as a beautiful reminder of compassion and wisdom in any home, or as an object of devotional focus.
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.
