Antiquated Prayer Wheel

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Name: Antiquated Prayer Wheel
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EB81
Price: 160.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$184

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	EB81
	Copper with Gemstones
	Height: 11.5 inch
	Width: 3 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 220 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.

Delve into the heart of ancient Tibetan practice with this captivating piece, now available under our Copper Statues collection. More than just a decorative object, this prayer wheel is a conduit to spiritual connection, a tangible representation of compassion and mindfulness.

The Wheel of Dharma: A Spiritual Journey

Prayer wheels are a sacred technology in Tibetan Buddhism, ingeniously designed to amplify the power of mantra recitation. Each turn of the wheel is believed to release countless blessings and prayers into the universe, benefiting all sentient beings. Imagine the resonant Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, swirling within the copper casing, each rotation a step closer to enlightenment for oneself and the world. The wheel itself is a symbolic echo of the Dharma Wheel, a key symbol in Buddhism representing the Buddha's teachings. Its rotation signifies the ongoing propagation of Buddhist principles, turning away from suffering and towards wisdom.

Craftsmanship and Materials: A Testament to Devotion

This beautiful prayer wheel is meticulously handcrafted from copper, prized for its durability and believed to possess spiritually conductive properties. The copper is richly patinated, suggesting age and the countless prayers whispered in its vicinity over time. Adorning the prayer wheel are carefully arranged gemstones, potentially turquoise and coral, adding vibrancy and visual harmony. Turquoise, often associated with wisdom, tranquility, and protection, is considered sacred in Tibetan culture. Coral, with its vibrant red hue, symbolizes life force and energetic power. Each gemstone is thoughtfully placed, creating a visually stunning and spiritually potent piece. Measuring 11.5 x 3.0 x 3.0 inches, it is perfectly sized for display on an altar, meditation space, or any area where one seeks to foster mindfulness.

Avalokiteśvara's Blessing

The compassion of Avalokiteśvara, the embodiment of all Buddhas' compassion, is central to the prayer wheel's purpose. Legend says Avalokiteśvara, witnessing the suffering of the world, vowed not to rest until all beings were liberated from pain. Reciting his mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, with intention and turning the wheel becomes a profound act of compassion, aligning oneself with Avalokiteśvara's boundless love and dedication. Owning this prayer wheel offers the opportunity to participate in this ancient tradition, accumulating merit and contributing to the well-being of all. Place it in your home as a constant reminder of compassion and the interconnectedness of all beings.

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.