Ashtamangala Incense Burner

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Name: Ashtamangala Incense Burner
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XE68
Price: 220.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$253

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XE68
	Copper and Brass
	Height: 10 inch
	Width: 7.6 inch
	Depth: 7.5 inch
	Weight 890 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.

Auspicious Symbols in Copper and Brass

This piece, meticulously crafted from copper and brass, serves as both a functional incense burner and a striking decorative object. Its unique architectural form is reminiscent of a traditional Himalayan temple, bringing a touch of serenity and ancient wisdom to your space. The aged patina lends a timeless quality, suggesting a history rich in ritual and devotion. The body of the burner features a series of intricate carvings depicting the Ashtamangala – the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. These symbols represent the offerings made by the gods to Buddha Shakyamuni immediately after his enlightenment. Each holds profound meaning: the lotus flower, symbolizing purity and spiritual unfolding; the endless knot, representing the interconnectedness of all things; the victory banner, celebrating the triumph over ignorance and negativity; the dharma wheel, signifying the teachings of Buddha; the conch shell, proclaiming the truth of the dharma; the pair of golden fish, symbolizing happiness and abundance; the parasol, offering protection from suffering; and the treasure vase, representing inexhaustible wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual.

Whispers of Deities and Dragons

The pyramid-shaped roof is adorned with intricate latticework, allowing the fragrant smoke of the incense to gracefully escape, carrying prayers and aspirations to the heavens. Perched at the corners of the roof are small avian figures, reminiscent of mythical Kinnaras, celestial beings known for their beautiful music and devotion to the divine. Their presence further elevates the spiritual ambiance of the piece. Imagine the stories these symbols could tell. Picture the ancient trade routes snaking through the Himalayas, carrying not just goods but also beliefs and artistic styles. This burner is more than just a vessel for incense; it's a tangible connection to a rich cultural heritage. The choice of copper and brass, materials valued for their durability and aesthetic appeal, ensures that this piece will be a cherished heirloom for generations to come. The meticulous detail and the deliberate arrangement of the Ashtamangala reflect the profound respect for tradition and the desire to create an object of beauty and spiritual significance. Let its presence be a reminder of the path to enlightenment and the blessings of a life lived with mindfulness and compassion.

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.