13" Vajrasattva Copper Idol from Nepal | Copper Gilded with Gold

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13" Vajrasattva Copper Idol from Nepal | Copper Gilded with Gold

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Name: 13" Vajrasattva Copper Idol from Nepal | Copper Gilded with Gold
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU219
Price: 1325.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1242

$1656

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Vajrasattva, a prominent figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, embodies the purifying and transformative power of enlightened wisdom. Revered as a deity associated with purification practices, Vajrasattva plays a central role in rituals aimed at cleansing negative karma and obscurations. Depicted as a peaceful, white deity, Vajrasattva holds a vajra (thunderbolt) in his right hand and a bell in his left, symbolizing the union of skillful means and wisdom. His consort, Vajrasattvani, complements this divine union, representing the fusion of compassion and emptiness.

The practice of Vajrasattva involves reciting mantras, particularly the hundred-syllable mantra, as a means of purifying negativities and karmic imprints. Devotees engage in visualization, invoking Vajrasattva's purifying light and nectar to cleanse their body, speech, and mind.

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Specifications

	MIU219
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 13 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 3 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.

Embodiment of Purity and Enlightenment

This magnificent statue captures the serene presence of Vajrasattva, a pivotal figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, revered as the deity of purification and the primordial Buddha. Crafted with exquisite detail in Nepal, this artwork is a testament to the enduring artistic traditions of the Himalayan region. The radiant gold gilding on the copper base imbues the idol with an ethereal glow, reflecting the enlightenment and purity that Vajrasattva embodies. His posture is one of profound meditative stillness, seated in the lotus position upon a beautifully ornate base, often depicted as a lotus symbolizing spiritual awakening. In his right hand, he holds the vajra, a diamond scepter representing unbreakable wisdom and skillful means. In his left hand, resting in his lap, is the ghanta, a bell symbolizing the emptiness of phenomena and the wisdom that understands this emptiness. The harmonious union of these two implements signifies the non-duality of wisdom and compassion, the ultimate realization for spiritual practitioners. The intricate ornamentation adorning Vajrasattva speaks to his celestial nature. His crown, richly embellished with semi-precious stones, signifies his sovereignty over all phenomena. The flowing robes and elaborate jewelry are rendered with a lifelike grace, highlighting the artistry of the Nepalese craftsmen. The gentle, serene expression on his face, with downcast eyes and a subtle smile, conveys a sense of profound peace and compassion, inviting contemplation and inner reflection. In Buddhist lore, Vajrasattva is considered the source of all tantric teachings. He is said to have manifested to guide beings towards liberation from suffering and the realization of their inherent Buddha-nature. The practice of reciting Vajrasattva mantras is renowned for its power to purify negative karma, obscurations, and spiritual hindrances, paving the way for spiritual growth and awakening. This idol serves not merely as an object of beauty, but as a potent reminder of these transformative practices and the ultimate potential within all beings. The tradition of creating such statues is steeped in centuries of devotion, with each piece meticulously crafted to serve as a focal point for meditation and a conduit for spiritual energy.

A Sacred Icon of Tibetan Buddhism

This piece originates from Nepal, a land considered sacred to both Buddhism and Hinduism, and a major center for the creation of Buddhist art for centuries. Nepalese artisans have a long-standing reputation for their mastery in metalwork, particularly in the intricate casting and gilding of Buddhist deities. The use of copper as a base material, then expertly gilded with gold, is a traditional technique that lends both durability and a brilliant, auspicious sheen to the sacred images. The skillful application of paint, often seen in the delicate rendering of the eyes and the blue-black hair, adds a lifelike quality to the divine form. This statue is not just an artifact; it is a sacred vessel, imbued with the blessings of the tradition it represents, intended to inspire devotion and facilitate spiritual practice in any space it graces.

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.