Endowed with a breathing, earthy physique, and adorned with mystical black garments beautified by glowing golden, the great Bodhisattva Green Tara appears to his devotees like a heavenly queen in this gilded copper Nepalese statue. With expressions and limbs as soft as the petals of the lotuses held in her hands, Green Tara is a picture of motherly affection in this statue. Framed by her crown and dark tresses, Tara’s face seems lively yet still. Exquisitely ornamented, Tara has her hand in the gesture of patience, telling her followers to hold patience in their hearts.
The Embodiment of Compassion and Enlightenment
This exquisite copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, captures the serene and powerful presence of Goddess Tara in a meditative posture. Tara, the "Mother of Liberation," is a beloved deity in Tibetan Buddhism, revered as a bodhisattva of compassion and wisdom. Her origins are steeped in myth, with some tales recounting her birth from a tear of the compassionate Avalokiteshvara, born from a lotus flower, hence her epithet "Padma" (Lotus). She is seen as a protector who swiftly responds to the prayers of those in need, offering solace and guidance.
Symbolism and Serene Beauty
The posture of the goddess, seated in a balanced and relaxed meditative pose, signifies inner peace and profound contemplation. Her right hand is held in the gesture of *varada mudra*, bestowing blessings and granting boons, a gesture that assures devotees of her ever-present aid. Her left hand rests in her lap, perhaps in the gesture of *vitarka mudra*, symbolizing the teaching of the Dharma or the contemplation of wisdom. The intricate detailing of her ornate crown, adorned with precious jewels and radiating an aura of divine authority, speaks to her exalted status. The golden lotus flowers flanking her on either side are potent symbols of purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening, reinforcing her connection to the celestial realm.
Artistry and Material Excellence
Crafted from high-quality copper, this statue possesses a lustrous sheen that speaks to the skill of the artisans. The traditional Nepalese artistic style is evident in the graceful lines, the subtle curves of her form, and the delicate embellishments that adorn her attire and jewelry. The rich patina of the copper, enhanced by areas of gold accentuation, creates a striking visual contrast and adds to the statue's timeless appeal. The base, designed in an elegant oval shape, is also intricately decorated, providing a stable and aesthetically pleasing foundation for this divine representation. The depth and richness of the colors, the smooth finish, and the overall harmony of the composition make this a truly remarkable piece of devotional art.
A Sacred Presence for Your Space
This statue is more than just an object of art; it is a conduit to the divine feminine energy of compassion, protection, and wisdom. Whether placed in a personal altar, a meditation room, or as a striking centerpiece in your living space, it emanates an aura of tranquility and spiritual grace. Its substantial presence and masterful craftsmanship invite contemplation and offer a constant reminder of the boundless compassion available to all. This piece is a testament to the enduring artistic traditions of Nepal and a beautiful embodiment of one of Buddhism's most cherished deities.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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