Dakini Vajravarahi

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Dakini Vajravarahi
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ED74
Price: 330.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$309.75

$413

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ED74
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 7 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 960 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.

The Fiery Embrace of Wisdom

Within the intricate folds of copper, sculpted with the touch of skilled artisans and meticulously gilded with 24 Karat Gold, dwells a powerful embodiment of enlightened wisdom and compassion. This captivating statue captures the essence of a Dakini, a female embodiment of enlightened energy, fearlessly striding through the illusions of the material world. The statue presents the fierce and compassionate Dakini dancing, a symbol of energetic liberation and dynamic action. Notice the fiery halo that frames her face, representing the burning away of ignorance and the purification of negative emotions. The three eyes that gaze piercingly from her forehead signify her all-seeing wisdom, capable of perceiving the truth beyond the surface of things. In her right hand she holds a ritual implement, representing the cutting away of attachment and ego.

Symbolism and Significance

Dakinis are far more than just figures in Tibetan Buddhist iconography. They are understood as embodiments of enlightened activity, acting as guides and protectors on the path to awakening. They represent the feminine principle of wisdom and are often considered messengers or guides, helping practitioners overcome obstacles and realize their true nature. The Kapala (skull cup) she carries is a potent reminder of impermanence, transforming the mundane into the sacred. Her nakedness symbolizes freedom from conceptual limitations. The presence of skulls, whether adorning her crown or decorating her form, represents the transformation of death into liberation, illustrating the Buddhist understanding of the cyclical nature of existence. These elements combine to create a figure of immense power and transformative potential.

Craftsmanship and Presence

This statue, with dimensions of 7.0 x 5.0 x 3.0 inches, offers a tangible connection to these profound concepts. The use of copper provides a grounding element, while the 24 Karat Gold gilding bestows an aura of radiant brilliance. Whether placed on an altar, a meditation space, or simply admired as a work of art, this figure emanates a powerful presence that invites contemplation and inspires inner transformation. Each detail, from the fierce expression on her face to the intricate ornamentation of her form, speaks to the dedication and skill of the artisans who brought her to life.

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.