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14" Copper Megh Sambara Sculpture from Nepal | Nepalese Copper Statue

$1818.75
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Megh Sambara embodies the fierce manifestation of Manjushri, known as the "Bodhisattva of Wisdom." This deity is renowned as the "Conqueror of Death" for transcending the cycle of rebirth and emerging victorious over Yama, the "God of Death" and guardian of the hell realms.

 

To vanquish the god of death, Megh Sambara assumes a fearsome form with the head of a bull and eight other fierce countenances. His numerous hands clasp sharp weapons, and his sixteen legs trample upon negativity. Megh Sambara stands amid the flames of pristine awareness, locked in an eternal embrace with his consort Vetali.

Specifications
MIS633
COPPER WITH GOLD
Height: 14 inch
Width: 10 inch
Depth: 5 inch
Weight 5.10 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 6 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Divine Wrath of the Protector

This magnificent sculpture, crafted from copper with a gilded finish, depicts a fearsome protector deity, an embodiment of spiritual power and divine intervention. Its intricate details and commanding presence are a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of Nepalese artisans, who have a rich tradition of creating sacred imagery. The sculpture is designed to inspire awe and reverence, serving as a powerful symbol of overcoming obstacles and negative forces. ––––––––––

Mythological Significance and Cultural Context

The wrathful deities in Tibetan Buddhism, such as the one represented here, are not figures of evil but rather manifestations of enlightened wisdom that appear in a fierce form to vanquish ignorance, hatred, and attachment. They are considered protectors of the Dharma, actively working to clear the path for spiritual liberation. The imagery of multiple faces, arms, and a fiery aura signifies their all-encompassing vision and boundless energy in combating defilements. Their wrath is a skillful means, a righteous anger directed at the obstacles of spiritual progress, ultimately leading to compassion and enlightenment. These deities are often depicted in dynamic poses, embodying the constant vigilance required to protect practitioners on their spiritual journey. The surrounding narrative elements within the sculpture often tell stories of their triumphs over demons and negative influences, reinforcing their role as unwavering guardians. ––––––––––

An Artistic Masterpiece in Gilded Copper

The choice of copper as the primary material, lavishly adorned with gold, imbues the sculpture with both material value and symbolic depth. Gold represents purity, divinity, and enlightenment, while copper is known for its durability and conductivity, making it an ideal medium for sacred art. The sculpting technique employed here is evident in the sharp, precise lines of the anatomy, the detailed rendering of the adornments, and the dynamic flow of the fiery halo. Each element, from the fierce expression of the face to the vigorous posture, is meticulously shaped to convey the deity's powerful essence. The surface gleams, reflecting light and enhancing the dramatic impact of the figure. This piece is not merely an object of devotion but a work of art that showcases the pinnacle of traditional Nepalese metalwork.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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