9" Incense Box from Nepal | Copper Box with Glistening Gold Plating

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9" Incense Box from Nepal | Copper Box with Glistening Gold Plating

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Name: 9" Incense Box from Nepal | Copper Box with Glistening Gold Plating
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIS474
Price: 545.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$627

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Exuding a captivating blend of spirituality and craftsmanship, this incense box serves as a vessel of significance and aesthetic allure. Meticulously fashioned by the skilled hands of Nepal's artisans, the copper base of the box is adorned with a luxurious layer of glistening gold plating, with different designs of jewels creating a harmonious marriage of visual appeal and functional design. The box's copper base, a canvas of rich history and cultural significance, has been transformed into a masterpiece through the application of a lavish layer of glistening gold plating. This opulent touch not only bestows an air of grandeur upon the box but also serves to protect it from the passage of time, ensuring its elegance endures for generations to come.

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Specifications

	MIS474
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 5.5 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 800 gm

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Vessel of Sacred Fragrance: Tibetan Incense Box

This exquisite incense box from Nepal is a testament to the rich artistic heritage and profound spiritual traditions of the region. Crafted from durable copper and adorned with a dazzling layer of gold plating, this vessel is more than just a container; it is a sacred object, designed to hold and dispense the fragrant smoke of incense, a practice deeply embedded in Buddhist rituals and cultural ceremonies. The intricate detailing and opulent embellishments speak to a time when such objects were not only functional but also imbued with symbolic meaning, intended to elevate the senses and connect the practitioner to the divine.

Echoes of the Himalayas: Design and Symbolism

The design of this box draws inspiration from the majestic Himalayas and the spiritual landscapes they represent. The hammered gold plating gleams with an inner radiance, reminiscent of the golden roofs of monasteries bathed in sunlight or the halos of deities. The lid is a masterpiece of decorative artistry, featuring a raised, curvilinear pattern that evokes stylized floral motifs or celestial mandalas, themselves potent symbols of the universe and enlightenment. Scattered across this surface are a variety of precious and semi-precious stones – vibrant turquoises, fiery carnelians, and creamy corals – each chosen for its inherent beauty and auspicious symbolism. Turquoise, often associated with the sky and the sea, is believed to bring wisdom and protection, while carnelian signifies vitality and courage. Coral, valued for its earthly origins, is thought to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. These stones are not merely decorative; they are integral to the spiritual potency of the box, acting as conduits for positive energy and enhancing the meditative qualities of burning incense.

Architectural Allusions and Auspicious Motifs

The body of the box mirrors the architectural elements found in traditional Tibetan and Nepalese temples and stupas. The front panel is adorned with three distinct arched doorways, each detailed with intricate molding and framed by delicate wirework. These doorways can be interpreted as portals to higher realms or as representations of the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community). The base of the box rests on four elegantly formed feet, further enhanced with the same intricate filigree and set with luminous green stones, lifting the sacred vessel above the mundane world. The sides of the box are adorned with elaborate openwork, revealing glimpses of the inner structure and adding an ethereal lightness to the otherwise substantial form. This blend of solid construction and delicate tracery creates a dynamic visual interplay, reflecting the balance between the material and the spiritual in Himalayan cosmology.

A Tradition of Aromatic Devotion

Incense has been an integral part of spiritual practices across many cultures for millennia, and in Tibet and Nepal, it holds a special significance. Burning incense is an offering to the deities, a purification ritual to clear negative energies, and a tool to aid in concentration during meditation. The fragrant smoke is believed to carry prayers and intentions to the heavens. Ancient texts speak of the use of aromatic substances in elaborate ceremonies, and the creation of beautifully crafted containers for these sacred materials was a vital part of the artisan's role. This particular incense box, with its substantial size and luxurious materials, would have been a treasured possession, used in important rituals or kept in a place of honor within a monastery or a devoted household. Its enduring beauty and craftsmanship ensure that it continues to be a significant artifact, connecting us to a timeless tradition of devotion and artistry.

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.