16" Goddess Tara Mask from Nepal

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Name: 16" Goddess Tara Mask from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: WSA081
Price: 600.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$690

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	WSA081
	Copper
	Height: 16 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 10 inch
	Weight 2.30 kg

About the Item

Features the compassionate visage of Goddess Tara, a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism.
Crafted from durable copper, depicting Tara as a protector and remover of obstacles.
Intricate details on the headdress and ornamentation highlight her spiritual authority.
Serene facial expression, suggesting meditation and profound empathy.
Authentic Nepalese craftsmanship showcased in the detailed metalwork.
Ideal for enhancing meditation spaces, home altars, or as a spiritual wall decor.

Delivery and Return Policies

	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 Benevolent Visage of Tara

This exquisite mask, crafted from copper in Nepal, embodies the divine grace and compassionate presence of Goddess Tara, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. Tara, whose name translates to "star," is often depicted as a bodhisattva of compassion and action, a protector who can be called upon in times of danger and suffering. Her spiritual significance is profound, with many tales illustrating her power to overcome obstacles and offer solace. Legends tell of Tara emerging from the tear of a compassionate bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara, shed upon witnessing the suffering of humanity. This tear transformed into a radiant blue lotus, from which Tara herself arose, promising to aid all beings. She is known by various epithets, each representing a different aspect of her enlightened nature, such as the Swift Protector, the Remover of Fear, or the Bestower of Success. The artistry of this mask captures Tara’s serene countenance, with eyes gently closed in meditation or perhaps surveying the world with profound empathy. Her regal headdress, adorned with intricate detailing and symbolic motifs, signifies her elevated status and spiritual authority. The delicate chains of beads and elaborate ornamentation that cascade around her face and neck speak to her opulence and protective embrace, reminiscent of the jeweled adornments often associated with deities in these traditions.

A Guardian's Embrace

In Tibetan Buddhist cosmology, Tara is seen as a mother figure, a swift and powerful deity who liberates beings from the cycle of rebirth and the eight great fears. These fears are often depicted as the perils of lions (pride), wild elephants (ignorance), fire (anger), snakes (jealousy), thieves (wrong views), chains (greed), demons (doubt), and the dangers of plague or disease. The presence of this mask is intended to invoke her protective energy, offering a tangible connection to her boundless compassion and her ability to navigate us through life's challenges. The intricate metalwork, a testament to the skilled artisans of Nepal, showcases a deep understanding of traditional iconography. The lustrous copper, with its subtle patina, lends an aura of timeless sanctity to the piece. This mask is more than just a decorative object; it is a conduit for devotion, a focal point for meditation, and a powerful reminder of the ever-present force of compassion and enlightenment in the world.

A Symbol of Enlightenment and Artistry

This piece serves as a striking statement in any spiritual or artistic collection. Its substantial size and the sheer detail of its craftsmanship make it a commanding presence, inviting contemplation and reverence. Whether placed in a meditation room, a living space, or a sacred altar, this Goddess Tara mask from Nepal will undoubtedly bring a sense of peace, protection, and profound beauty. It is a perfect embodiment of Nepalese artistry and the enduring spiritual power of Tara, the compassionate savior.

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.