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4" Small Superfine Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrapani Copper Statue

$572.25
$763
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Only 1 available

Vajrapani is a fascinating figure with ongoing debates about his origin and early connection to the Buddha. His name, "Holding a/the Vajra in his hand," links him to Indra, a powerful Vedic deity. Vajrapani stands resolute, wielding the vajra in his upraised hand.

 

While his wrathful form is fearsome to combat demons, he reveals a benevolent aspect to those who seek his guidance. Like a compassionate king, he cares for all living beings. His thunderbolt weapon severs the bonds of illusion and ignorance, guiding conditioned souls towards enlightenment. Vajrapāni has a wrathful expression, often represented as a yaksha, aiming to instill fear and loosen one's dogmatic beliefs. In his outstretched right hand, he wields a vajra, symbolizing analytical knowledge (jñanavajra) that breaks down the attachments of consciousness.

Specifications
MIS887
COPPER WITH GOLD PLATED
Height: 4.5 inch
Width: 2.5 inch
Depth: 2 inch
Weight 300 gm
Delivery and Return Policies
Ships in 1-3 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Wrathful Protector of Wisdom

This exquisite copper statue, richly detailed with gold plating, captures the formidable essence of Vajrapani, one of the most powerful Bodhisattvas in Tibetan Buddhism. Standing on a coiled tiger, this divine protector embodies the fierce energy needed to overcome obstacles and illusions. Vajrapani, whose name translates to "Vajra Holder" or "Thunderbolt Scepter," is a manifestation of the power of all Buddhas and is invoked to dispel ignorance and negative forces. He is often depicted in a wrathful, dynamic pose, symbolizing his active role in safeguarding practitioners on their spiritual path. ––––––––––

Symbolism and Iconography

The vibrant depiction of Vajrapani in this statue is replete with symbolic meaning. His fierce expression, often with bared teeth and bulging eyes, signifies his unwavering determination to confront and vanquish inner and outer demons. The third eye on his forehead represents his omniscience, the ability to perceive the true nature of reality beyond superficial appearances. The tiger beneath his feet is a powerful symbol in Himalayan cultures, representing untamed primal energy, ego, and fear. By standing upon the tiger, Vajrapani demonstrates his mastery over these forces, transforming them into a stable foundation for spiritual progress. The ornate, flaming aureole behind him symbolizes his radiant wisdom and the blazing light of enlightenment that dispels the darkness of ignorance. The turquoise embellishments, often found in Tibetan art, add a touch of celestial beauty and are believed to possess protective qualities. ––––––––––

A Divine Guardian

Vajrapani is venerated as a protector against all forms of delusion, arrogance, and attachment. In Buddhist mythology, he is believed to have been present at the Buddha's enlightenment, assisting the Buddha in warding off Mara, the tempter, and his forces. His powerful energy is considered essential for clearing the path to liberation, destroying the roots of suffering, and cultivating profound wisdom. Devotees turn to Vajrapani for protection from physical harm, mental afflictions, and spiritual hindrances. This statue, with its detailed craftsmanship and potent symbolism, serves as a powerful focal point for meditation and devotion, inviting the presence and protection of this enlightened guardian into one's life. ––––––––––

Artistic Craftsmanship

Crafted from high-quality copper and meticulously hand-finished with gold plating, this statue showcases exceptional artistry. The skilled artisans have imbued each element with incredible detail, from the intricate patterns on Vajrapani's robes and jewelry to the fierce yet stylized rendering of the tiger. The vibrant colors and rich patina of the metal bring the deity to life, creating an object of profound spiritual significance and aesthetic beauty. This piece is not merely a decorative item but a tangible representation of divine power and wisdom, perfect for altars, meditation spaces, or as a meaningful gift for someone on a spiritual journey.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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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