15" Ritual Oil Lamp in Copper From Nepal

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MADE IN INDIA.

15" Ritual Oil Lamp in Copper From Nepal

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Name: 15" Ritual Oil Lamp in Copper From Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: WSB769
Price: 570.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$534.75

$713

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

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Specifications

	WSB769
	Copper
	Height: 15 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 7 inch
	Weight 1 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 10 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.

A Beacon of Devotion: Nepalese Ritual Oil Lamp

This exquisite copper oil lamp, originating from the sacred land of Nepal, is more than just a source of light; it is a testament to centuries of spiritual practice and artisanal mastery. Standing at fifteen inches tall, its graceful silhouette and rich patina evoke a sense of deep reverence and timeless devotion. Crafted from durable copper, a metal revered for its purity and auspiciousness in many Eastern traditions, this lamp is designed to be a cherished companion in your spiritual journey. The lamp's design is both functional and aesthetically profound. Its sturdy, flared base ensures stability, while the intricately shaped stem rises elegantly, culminating in a reservoir designed to hold oil and a wick. The craftsmanship speaks to the skill of Nepalese artisans, who have honed their metalworking techniques over generations, imbuing each piece with a unique soul. The subtle variations in color and texture, a natural consequence of the aged copper, add to its authentic character, telling a story of its past use and journey. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the act of lighting a lamp, known as *diya* or *tera*, is a deeply symbolic gesture. It represents the dispelling of darkness, both external and internal, and the illumination of knowledge, truth, and spiritual awakening. The flame is often seen as a manifestation of the divine, a point of focus for meditation, prayer, and rituals. Lighting this lamp can be an offering to deities, a way to invoke blessings, or a quiet moment to connect with one's inner spiritual light. The tradition of oil lamps is ancient, with roots tracing back to Vedic times. The lamp is often associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, whose blessings are sought by lighting lamps during festivals like Diwali. In Buddhist traditions, lamps symbolize wisdom and the overcoming of ignorance. The act of offering a lamp is believed to accumulate merit and purify negative karma. This particular lamp, with its distinct Nepalese heritage, carries with it the spiritual vibrations of the Himalayan region, a place steeped in mysticism and devotional practices.

Cultural Resonance and Spiritual Significance

The use of copper in religious artifacts is widespread across the Indian subcontinent and beyond. Copper is believed to possess purifying properties and is considered sacred, often used in temple vessels, idols, and ritual tools. Its warm, metallic sheen is thought to resonate with positive energy. This lamp, crafted from this revered metal, is designed not only for its functional beauty but also for its capacity to enhance the spiritual atmosphere of any space. Whether placed in a home altar, a meditation room, or as a decorative piece that speaks of cultural heritage, it serves as a constant reminder of the importance of inner light and spiritual connection. Its presence can transform a space, filling it with a sense of peace, warmth, and sacredness, inviting contemplation and fostering a deeper connection to the divine.

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.