In the
Vajrayana tradition, the Bodhisattva known as Vajrasattva—the essence of Vajra
or the supreme manifestation of wisdom—is the materialization of the
enlightened potential that lives within each of us. Vajrasattva is shown in
this gilded
copper Nepalese statue as the crown
prince of Buddha, sporting pristinely patterned clothing, customary
decorations, and an ornate hairstyle. To receive the blessings of this powerful
Bodhisattva, Vajrasattva must unite wisdom and compassion, which is
symbolized by the Vajra and bell in his hands.
Embodying Purity and Enlightenment
This exquisite statue depicts Vajrasattva, a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, revered as the embodiment of purification, enlightenment, and the primordial Buddha. Crafted with meticulous detail from copper and gilded with lustrous gold, this piece radiates an aura of spiritual power and serene beauty. Vajrasattva is often visualized as the source of all Vajra beings and is central to the Vajrayana path, particularly in the tantric practices aimed at cleansing obscurations and realizing one's innate Buddha-nature.
In Buddhist mythology, Vajrasattva is seen as a bodhisattva who vowed to attain Buddhahood to help all sentient beings purify their negative karma and mental defilements. His name itself, "Vajra-sattva," translates to "Diamond Being" or "Adamantine Being," signifying his unbreakable and indestructible nature, representing the purity of enlightened awareness. He is often depicted in a meditative posture, seated on a lotus throne, symbolizing his spiritual purity and detachment from the cycles of samsara. His posture and hand gestures convey profound teachings and blessings.Symbolism and Iconography
The iconography of Vajrasattva is rich with symbolic meaning. While this particular representation focuses on his serene and regal aspect, he is often shown holding a vajra (a ritual thunderbolt scepter) in his right hand and a ghanta (a ritual bell) in his left. The vajra represents skillful means and the indestructible nature of enlightenment, while the ghanta symbolizes wisdom and the emptiness of all phenomena. The combination of these implements signifies the non-duality of wisdom and skillful means, the ultimate path to Buddhahood. His peaceful countenance, closed eyes, and gentle smile are testaments to his perfected wisdom and compassion. The intricate adornments, including a crown and jewelry, signify his status as a celestial being and his enlightened majesty.
The lotus throne upon which he sits is a universal symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and transcendence over worldly impurities. The lotus grows from the mud but emerges pristine and beautiful above the water, mirroring the spiritual journey of overcoming defilements to attain enlightenment. This detailed representation invites contemplation and devotion, serving as a powerful reminder of the potential for inner transformation and the pursuit of spiritual purity. Its presence can imbue any space with a sense of peace, serenity, and profound spiritual energy, making it a treasured object for practitioners and collectors alike.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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