Kubera, also known as
Vaishravana, is the Buddhist God of wealth. He is the embodiment of abundance,
glory, and prosperity. Not only is he regarded as the giver of wealth but is
also widely worshipped for being the guardian of travellers. His reverence as
treasurer of the riches of the world makes him a widely celebrated lord within
the Buddhist religion.
Carved in a copper
alloy enriched with gold, this Nepalese statue depicts Kubera with money bags
symbolizing his association with richness and wealth. This sculpture intricately
captures the deity's big belly along with the mongoose that rests on his hands.
This majestic statue encapsulates Kubera in a five-lobed crown as he is sculpted
in a ferocious expression with his blazing eyes and raised eyebrows, enhanced
with the contrasting hue of colors that make his facial features stand out.
The artisans have
wonderfully etched the sculpture with jewels, earrings, necklaces and armlets
to enhance the abundance of this copper idol. The figurine sits on a a
mongoose-stamped throne that leaves devotees in utter amazement. To add on to the
magnificence of this beautiful sculpture, the deity is complimented with an eye-catching
floral backdrop which is hand-painted in bright shades of primary colors that
put the worshippers in a trance, completely in awe of the perfectly carved
statue.
A Majestic Representation of Abundance and Prosperity
Behold this magnificent Tibetan Buddhist Kubera idol, a resplendent embodiment of wealth, fortune, and spiritual abundance. Crafted with exquisite artistry in Nepal, this piece is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and devotional practices of the region. The idol depicts Kubera, the king of the Yakshas and the celestial treasurer, seated in a posture of serene authority and benevolent watchfulness. His countenance, though fierce with wide-open eyes and a stern brow, carries an aura of immense power and protective grace. Adorned with an ornate crown and jewelry, his presence is commanding, yet inviting to those who seek his blessings.Symbolism and Divine Patronage
Kubera holds a place of paramount importance in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, revered as the god of wealth and guardian of treasures. Legends speak of Kubera as a pious king who, through his devotion and righteousness, earned his exalted position. He is often depicted with a swollen belly, symbolizing his immense wealth, and a mongoose, which is said to disgorge jewels. In this striking depiction, the deity is shown holding a jewel-laden mongoose, a clear symbol of his dominion over riches. The surrounding foliage, rendered in vibrant greens and adorned with golden flowers with striking red centers, evokes the image of a flourishing garden, a metaphor for the prosperity that Kubera bestows upon his devotees. This imagery further reinforces his role as the dispenser of material and spiritual wealth.Artistic Mastery and Material Splendor
The idol is meticulously sculpted from copper and intricately embellished with gold. This combination of materials not only lends the piece a luxurious sheen but also signifies the sacredness and enduring value of the deity it represents. The gold plating highlights the divine radiance of Kubera, while the copper base provides a robust foundation for the intricate details. The artistry extends to the elaborate throne upon which Kubera is seated, a multi-tiered structure adorned with lotus motifs and decorative patterns, all rendered in gleaming gold. The backdrop, a fiery, stylized halo in shades of red and blue, further enhances the divine aura of the statue, signifying protection and spiritual illumination. The vibrant detailing of the leaves and flowers, a beautiful contrast to the golden deity, adds depth and visual appeal, showcasing the artisan's skill in bringing life and vibrancy to their creation. This piece is not merely an idol; it is a masterpiece of devotional art, designed to inspire awe and attract auspicious energies.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.
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