This copper
statue from Nepal shows the Hindu elephant-headed god Ganesha dancing and
stomping on a rat, a type of rodent that harms people's crops. The farming
community of Nepal frequently worships Ganesha because he is believed to have
the ability to tame rats. The image of Ganesha towering over the threatening
animal serves as a reminder to his adherents that the ultimate defender is
watching over their crops and abundance.
The
four-armed Ganesha is adorned in the traditional ornaments of Nepal, with a
third eye marking his forehead, and rosary, axe, bowl of Modak, and the gesture
of Abhaya or fearlessness, telling his devotees to be unafraid, guarded by the
presence of Ganesha.
The Joyful Dance of Vinayaka
This exquisite copper idol captures Ganesha, the beloved Hindu deity of wisdom and remover of obstacles, in a vibrant and dynamic dance. Known as Vinayaka in many traditions, and particularly revered in Nepal, Ganesha is depicted here with his characteristic elephant head and multiple arms, each adorned with symbolic objects. The deity's form is imbued with a sense of joyous movement, his limbs gracefully extended as if caught mid-twirl on his ornate pedestal. The rich copper patina, achieved through meticulous craftsmanship, lends a timeless and authentic feel to this representation.Symbolism and Auspiciousness
Ganesha's dance is not merely a physical act; it is a cosmic ballet, a representation of the universal rhythm and the unfolding of creation. His many arms signify his omnipresence and his ability to manage multiple tasks and challenges simultaneously. He is often shown holding a lotus, a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening, and an axe, representing the severing of attachments and illusions. The presence of his mount, the mouse (Musha), signifies the conquest of ego and the ability to overcome even the smallest of hindrances. This particular depiction, originating from Nepal, showcases the unique artistic styles and spiritual nuances that characterize Nepalese Buddhist and Hindu art, where Ganesha is venerated with great devotion.A Divine Presence for Your Home
This Dancing Ganesha idol is more than just a decorative piece; it is an embodiment of auspiciousness and a conduit for divine blessings. Placing this idol in your home or office is believed to invite good fortune, prosperity, and success, while warding off negative energies and obstacles. The intricate details of the craftsmanship, from the delicate carvings on his crown to the flowing lines of his garments, speak of the skill and devotion of the artisans. This statue serves as a constant reminder of Ganesha's benevolent nature and his role as the patron of arts and sciences, intellect, and wisdom. Its compact size makes it suitable for various spaces, bringing a touch of sacred beauty and spiritual resonance wherever it is placed.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.
