9" Four Armed Sitting Lord Ganesha with Rat from Nepal
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MADE IN INDIA.

9" Four Armed Sitting Lord Ganesha with Rat from Nepal

$754.50
$1006
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Only 1 available
Specifications
MIV824
Copper with Silver Plated
Height: 9 inch
Width: 7 inch
Depth: 4 inch
Weight 1.70 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 6 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.

A Divine Presence from the Himalayas

Crafted with exquisite detail in Nepal, this commanding nine-inch statue depicts Lord Ganesha in a serene, seated posture, radiating an aura of divine power and auspiciousness. The deity is brought to life through a meticulous blend of copper with a lustrous silver plating, accentuating the intricate carvings and symbolic elements that adorn his form. This piece is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of Nepalese metalwork, a heritage deeply rooted in both Hindu and Buddhist philosophies.

Symbolism and Divine Attributes

Lord Ganesha, the beloved remover of obstacles and patron of arts and sciences, is depicted here with his characteristic elephantine visage. The four arms symbolize his omnipresence and multifaceted abilities. In his hands, he holds significant objects: a noose, representing his power to bind the devotee to the divine; an axe, symbolizing the cutting away of ignorance and illusion; and a modak (sweet dumpling), signifying the rewards of spiritual discipline and the sweetness of self-realization. The presence of his vahana, the rat (Mooshika), is also noteworthy. Legend tells of Mooshika, a humble creature, who was cursed to be insatiable in its hunger. Ganesha, in his compassion, tamed the rat, making it his loyal companion and vehicle, thereby teaching that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant can achieve great purpose when guided by divine love. The rat, with its sharp senses and ability to navigate confined spaces, symbolizes the devotee's ability to overcome obstacles with intelligence and agility.

Artistic Mastery and Cultural Significance

This statue is more than just an object of worship; it is a masterpiece of Nepalese craftsmanship. The silver plating catches the light, highlighting the delicate ornamentation of Ganesha's attire, including the elaborate headdress, necklaces, armbands, and the patterned fabric draped around his waist. The base upon which he sits is a beautifully sculpted lotus, a potent symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and the unfolding of consciousness. The intricate detailing on the lotus petals and the decorative border of the pedestal showcase the artisan's dedication to capturing the essence of the divine. Such pieces are highly sought after for their spiritual value and their ability to bring a sense of peace, prosperity, and wisdom to any space they inhabit. They serve as a tangible connection to ancient traditions and the enduring power of faith, making them ideal for altars, meditation spaces, or as a cherished decorative item in any home.

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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