The
personification of Avalokiteshvara’s blissful affection for humankind, goddess
Green Tara in this gilded copper statue from Nepal is a soothing sight to the heart.
Her glistening visage beautified by gold is animated by her gently opened eyes,
fine nose, and pleasantly curving lips. Waves-like hair frames her countenance,
along with the crown that adds a grandeur to the icon. With masterclass
sculpting and polishing, Tara’s limbs, attire, and posture are endowed with a youthful
sweetness. Alluring and calming the mind, Tara in this iconic artwork is divinity
incarnate for her followers.Â
The Embodiment of Compassion: A Radiant Green Tara Statue
This magnificent statue captures the serene and compassionate presence of Green Tara, a revered deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Crafted from fine copper and adorned with a rich gold finish, this artwork hails from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual traditions and renowned for its exquisite metalwork. The deity is depicted in her characteristic posture of ease and readiness to offer aid, seated on a beautifully ornate lotus throne. Her right hand is extended in the boon-granting gesture (varada mudra), symbolizing her boundless generosity and ability to fulfill wishes. In her left hand, she holds the stem of a lotus flower, a potent symbol of purity and enlightenment that blooms even in the mud of worldly attachments.
Green Tara: The Swift Goddess of Action and Compassion
In Buddhist lore, Green Tara is known as the goddess who swiftly comes to the aid of those who call upon her. She is often depicted with youthful beauty, radiating an aura of peaceful energy. Her green complexion signifies her active, life-affirming nature and her connection to the vibrant energy of nature. Legends tell of Tara’s birth from the compassionate tears of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, as he wept over the suffering of the world. Her appearance was so radiant and full of life that he exclaimed, "You are an accomplished one!" – thus, she became known as Tara, meaning "star" or "to cross over." She embodies wisdom and skillful means, offering protection from fear, illness, and obstacles, and guiding practitioners towards spiritual liberation.
A Masterpiece of Nepalese Craftsmanship
This particular representation of Green Tara is a testament to the skill and artistry of Nepalese artisans. The intricate detailing on the statue, from the delicate folds of her garments to the serene expression on her face, speaks volumes about the dedication and reverence poured into its creation. The gold plating enhances the divine aura of the goddess, making her appear truly luminous and otherworldly. The lotus base, a recurring motif in Buddhist art, is rendered with exceptional precision, its petals unfurling to cradle the divine figure. This substantial piece, standing at 20 inches tall, is not merely a decorative item but a profound object of devotion, capable of inspiring peace and mindfulness in any space it graces. It serves as a powerful reminder of the presence of compassion and wisdom in our lives.
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.
