Laksmi or Laxmi in
Newari Hinduism is the goddess of auspiciousness, wealth, and fecundity. Her
powers are evoked by the devotees to attain luxuries in life and success in
spiritual endeavors. In this statute from Nepal, Sri Lakshmi appears on a lotus
throne, which is reminiscent of the lotus seat of Green Tara. Adorned in the
manner of Buddhist deities, Lakshmi wears a Nepalese crown, floral earrings,
necklaces, armlets, bracelets, a soft dhoti, and a delicate scarf that flows
around her youthful form gracefully.
In her hands, Lakshmi
holds the Sinamu (vermillion pot) and Jwala Nhaykan (mirror with fiery outlines)-
attributes that represent auspiciousness in life. The primary hands of Lakshmi
are in the gesture of giving boons (Varada mudra) and fearlessness (Abhaya
mudra). The statue is surrounded by a stunning traditional Nepalese aureole
with stylized motifs that enhance the artistic quality of the statue. With a
mesmerizing stillness on her countenance, this statue of Lakshmi is a stunning
example of the union of religious cultures in the art of Nepal.
Embodying Prosperity and Divine Grace
This exquisite statue captures the serene and benevolent presence of Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, fortune, beauty, and prosperity. Crafted with meticulous detail from copper in Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual artistry and tradition, this representation embodies centuries of devotion and reverence. The goddess is depicted in a seated posture, symbolizing stability and groundedness, a common iconography that signifies her enduring presence and the steadfastness of good fortune she bestows.
The intricate design of the statue reflects the masterful craftsmanship passed down through generations of Nepalese artisans. Each element, from the delicate folds of her garments to the serene expression on her face, is rendered with profound skill. The vibrant blue accents on her headdress and the subtle red highlights add a touch of regal splendor, befitting a goddess who is both a nurturer and a dispenser of abundance. Her multiple arms, a common representation in Hindu deities, signify her boundless capacity to offer blessings and protection in various forms. The objects held in her hands, often symbolic of her divine attributes, further enhance the spiritual narrative of the piece.
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A Symbol of Auspicious Beginnings
Lakshmi is revered across India and Southeast Asia as the consort of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Her presence is considered essential for material and spiritual well-being. The story of her birth from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) paints her as the ultimate prize, a divine entity emerging with auspicious attributes, bringing light and prosperity to the world. She is particularly invoked during festivals like Diwali, the festival of lights, where her worship is central to the celebrations, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and the welcoming of prosperity into homes and lives.
This statue serves not only as a beautiful decorative piece but also as a potent spiritual aid. Its presence in your home or workspace can be a constant reminder of the goddess's blessings, inviting an atmosphere of abundance, harmony, and positive energy. The copper material itself is considered sacred in many traditions, believed to possess purifying properties and to resonate with divine energies. As a piece originating from Nepal, it carries the spiritual essence of the Himalayan region, known for its deep spiritual heritage and its role as a sanctuary for various religious traditions. Welcoming this representation of Lakshmi into your life is an invitation to cultivate prosperity, inner peace, and a connection to the divine source of all good things.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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