16" Choskamuni Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols

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16" Choskamuni Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols

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Name: 16" Choskamuni Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: CAA162
Price: 1575.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1476.75

$1969

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Choskamuni, the formidable black goddess protector, stands as a potent guardian of the faith. Known as Shri Devi in Sanskrit, she manifests as a wrathful emanation of Saraswati. When confronted with continued human sacrifice, she fulfilled her vow to end this practice. Upon mounting a mule covered with her own son's flayed skin to escape the kingdom, the king's arrow struck the mule's haunch. Remarkably, Shridevi transformed the wound into an eye, enhancing her ability to vigilantly oversee the realms of Buddhist devotion.

Riding a white wild ass adorned with skulls, she wields a skull cup filled with brains while traversing a sea of blood. Alongside, a pair of dice hangs from the wild ass, determining the karmic fate of sentient beings, accompanied by a bag brimming with worldly ailments.

Her grip on a staff dedicated to subduing demons reinforces her commitment to safeguarding Buddhist teachings, institutions, and practitioners.

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Specifications

	CAA162
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 16 inch
	Width: 15.5 inch
	Depth: 5.5 inch
	Weight 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.

A Fiery Embodiment of Fierce Compassion

This magnificent copper statue, enhanced with gold accents, captures the awe-inspiring power and spiritual intensity of a wrathful deity. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in rich Buddhist traditions, this artwork is a testament to the skill of Nepalese artisans and the profound symbolism embedded within Vajrayana Buddhism. The deity depicted, often known as Choskamuni in its wrathful manifestation, is a protector and dispeller of obstacles, embodying a fierce form of compassion aimed at overcoming ignorance and negative forces that hinder spiritual progress. The central figure is dynamically posed, radiating an aura of immense energy. The fierce expression, with bared teeth and piercing eyes, is not one of malice but of a potent force actively engaging with the challenges of existence. This iconography is deeply rooted in the understanding that enlightenment can sometimes require confronting and transforming the darkest aspects of the human psyche and the external world. The accompanying figures, also rendered with fierce visages, further accentuate the protective and vanquishing nature of the deity. Their dynamic postures and expressive features convey their active role in assisting the central deity in its mission. The elaborate fiery aureole that frames the deity is a classic representation of spiritual power and the purification of negativity. The vibrant hues of red and yellow, expertly applied to the copper, evoke the intensity of divine energy, burning away obscurities and illusions. This flaming halo symbolizes the wisdom that consumes ignorance, a central tenet in Buddhist philosophy. The use of copper, a metal associated with conductivity and resilience, further enhances the statue's spiritual potency, while the judicious application of gold adds a celestial glow, signifying purity and enlightenment. The base of the statue depicts a stylized landscape, often interpreted as the earthly realm or the realm of samsara, which the deity traverses and actively influences. The presence of elements like mountains and stylized flora suggests the deity's dominion over the material world and its ability to guide beings through its complexities. The overall composition is a masterful interplay of form, texture, and symbolic imagery, designed to inspire awe, devotion, and a deep contemplation of the path to liberation. This piece serves not merely as an object of art, but as a potent reminder of the transformative power that lies within and the spiritual forces that can be invoked to overcome challenges.

Craftsmanship and Symbolism

The meticulous detail in this sculpture speaks volumes about the skill of the Newari artists who traditionally create such sacred objects. The intricate carvings on the deity's ornaments, the fierce expressions on the faces, and the flowing dynamism of the flame halo are all rendered with remarkable precision. The choice of materials – copper with gold – is significant. Copper has long been revered in many spiritual traditions for its ability to conduct energy, while gold symbolizes purity, divinity, and auspiciousness. Together, they create a visual representation of both potent action and enlightened perfection. In Tibetan Buddhism, wrathful deities are often considered emanations of peaceful deities, appearing in a terrifying form to subdue negative forces and protect practitioners. They are not to be feared, but rather understood as powerful agents of transformation. Their fierce appearance is meant to overcome the practitioner's own attachment to the mundane and their fear of the "unpleasant" aspects of reality. The presence of figures like protectors or attendants, as seen in this composition, emphasizes the collective power and cosmic order that such deities uphold. This statue, therefore, is more than just an image; it is a powerful focal point for meditation and a reminder of the dynamic nature of spiritual practice, where the overcoming of inner and outer obstacles is paramount.

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.