14" Palden Lhamo Sculpture from Nepal | Nepalese Copper Statue

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14" Palden Lhamo Sculpture from Nepal | Nepalese Copper Statue

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Name: 14" Palden Lhamo Sculpture from Nepal | Nepalese Copper Statue
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIS635
Price: 1130.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1059.75

$1413

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Palden Lhamo, often referred to as the "Glorious Goddess," encompasses a variety of wrathful female protectors and dakinis. In the context of the Gelugpa tradition, Palden Lhamo represents a wrathful emanation of Chamunda, who herself is a wrathful form of the goddess Kali. This depiction of Palden Lhamo features red hair, symbolizing her fierce and wrathful nature. She is often portrayed riding side-saddle on a white mule, crossing a sea of blood.

The mule bears an eye on its left rump, a mark left when Palden Lhamo's angered husband shot an arrow at it after she had killed her son. Her son was destined to bring about the end of Buddhism, and she used his skin as a saddle blanket. Palden Lhamo is typically depicted with three eyes and is often shown drinking blood from a human skull.

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Specifications

	MIS635
	Copper
	Height: 14 inch
	Width: 12 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 6.10 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 Formidable Protector: A Depiction of Palden Lhamo

This striking copper sculpture, originating from Nepal, captures the fierce and protective essence of Palden Lhamo, a revered wrathful deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Known as the "Glorious Goddess," Palden Lhamo is a paramount female protector, whose formidable presence is meant to ward off evil and safeguard the dharma. She is often depicted in her wrathful aspect, astride a wild horse, symbolizing the untamed forces she commands and the swiftness with which she intervenes to protect her devotees.

Symbolism and Iconography

The artistry of this sculpture masterfully conveys Palden Lhamo's power and ferocity. Her stern countenance, adorned with a fearsome expression, signifies her unwavering resolve against negativity. She is depicted in dynamic motion, her horse galloping with powerful strides, a visual representation of her relentless pursuit of all that obstructs spiritual progress. The swirling, fiery nimbus that encircles her embodies the intense spiritual energy she wields, capable of incinerating ignorance and delusion. In Tibetan lore, Palden Lhamo is intricately linked to the legendary journey of the Buddha and is considered a vital protector of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is often described as the "Queen of the Law" or "Guardian of the Teachings." Her iconography frequently includes the sun and moon, symbolizing her dominion over time and her ability to bring light to darkness. The severed head she often carries in imagery is said to represent the subjugation of ego and worldly desires. This sculpture, with its powerful and dynamic portrayal, serves as a potent reminder of the protective energies available to those who dedicate themselves to spiritual practice.

Craftsmanship and Materiality

Crafted from copper, this sculpture possesses a rich patina that speaks to the enduring nature of the metal and the traditional techniques employed in its creation. The detailed rendering of the horse, its musculature defined and its mane flowing, underscores the skill of the Nepalese artisans. The intricate carvings on the base and the fiery aura behind the deity demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, enhancing the overall dramatic impact of the piece. The use of contrasting silver accents further accentuates the divine and formidable qualities of Palden Lhamo, making this a truly captivating work of devotional art. This sculpture is not merely an object of beauty but a conduit for the powerful protective energies embodied by this important deity, offering a focal point for meditation and inspiration.

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.