9" Six Hands Mahakala Copper Statue from Nepal

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9" Six Hands Mahakala Copper Statue from Nepal

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Name: 9" Six Hands Mahakala Copper Statue from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIS640
Price: 820.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$768.75

$1025

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Mahakala's six arms and various attributes symbolize different aspects of his role and power. The five skulls adorning his crown represent the five poisons, namely Desire, Hatred, Ignorance, Jealousy, and Ego, which transform into wisdom under his influence.

Mahakala's three eyes signify his all-encompassing knowledge of time, encompassing the past, present, and future. In his first right hand, he wields a curved knife, a potent tool for cutting down ignorance and delusion. The skull held in his left hand is a symbol of his triumphant victory over demonic forces, ensuring that he achieves his goals for the benefit of humanity without hindrance.

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Specifications

	MIS640
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 2.50 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	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.

The Wrathful Protector: A Manifestation of Power

This exquisite copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal and adorned with a lustrous gold plating, depicts Mahakala, a fearsome but benevolent protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Standing at nine inches tall, this commanding figure embodies the fierce compassion necessary to overcome obstacles and negative forces that obstruct spiritual progress. Mahakala is not merely a symbol of destruction; he represents the force that destroys ignorance, attachment, and hatred, paving the way for enlightenment. The iconography of Mahakala is rich with meaning. The six hands of this particular representation symbolize his boundless power and the many ways he can intervene to protect practitioners. Each hand is poised to wield a symbolic implement, signifying his ability to conquer different types of afflictions. The fierce expression, with bared teeth and bulging eyes, is designed to inspire awe and to ward off evil. This terrifying visage is not intended to incite fear but to serve as a mirror reflecting the practitioner's own inner demons, encouraging them to confront and overcome their own negative tendencies. The swirling nimbus of flames surrounding him represents the destructive power of wisdom that burns away all impurities and illusions, purifying the mind and spirit.

Mythological Significance and Cultural Context

In Buddhist mythology, Mahakala is often depicted as a manifestation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in his wrathful form. Legend tells that when the great saint and scholar Atisha was in India, he encountered a great demonic force that was disrupting the teachings. He invoked Avalokiteshvara, who manifested as Mahakala to defeat the demon. This act solidified Mahakala's role as a fierce protector of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) and its adherents. His omnipresence is believed to extend to the battlefield, the monastic halls, and the personal spiritual journey, making him a vital figure for those seeking protection and spiritual liberation. In Nepalese Buddhist traditions, Mahakala is invoked for protection against natural disasters, illness, and any form of suffering. His presence is believed to create a sacred space, a sanctuary from the turmoil of the material world. The intricate details of this statue, from the elaborate headdress and jewelry to the textured garments and the dynamic posture, are a testament to the skill of Nepalese artisans. Copper, a sacred metal in many traditions, has been chosen for its durability and its ability to hold intricate details. The gold plating enhances the divine aura of the deity, reflecting light and symbolizing purity and enlightenment. The pedestal upon which Mahakala stands is equally ornate, often representing a lotus flower, a symbol of purity and spiritual growth, or a prostrate figure, symbolizing the subjugation of ego and ignorance. This statue serves not only as a devotional object but also as a piece of art that embodies centuries of spiritual tradition and artistic mastery.

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.