Adorned
with enchanting colors and envisioned in a magnificently dynamic aspect,
Garuda, the mighty mount of Sri Vishnu in this Nepalese statue
is presented as a potent guardian divinity. His powerful sacred space has been
secured by the artist with a majestic halo, whose flaming tones beautifully
contrast with the pleasing blue physique of the feathered protector. With three
eyes enlivening his countenance, Garuda is adorned with various ornaments and a
scarf that sways with the movement of his body, adding a sense of motion to the
composition. Holding a Phurba and skull cup in his hand and vanquishing an
enemy of Dharma under his feet, Garuda in this form reminds one of the
ferocious Mahakala and other guardian deities, revered as the protectors of
Nepal valley.
The Divine Protector in Fiery Dance
This exquisite copper sculpture from Nepal captures the dynamic and powerful form of Garuda, the celestial bird-like creature revered in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Rendered in a vibrant, dancing pose, this idol embodies the awe-inspiring might and protective essence of this mythical being. The artist's masterful skill is evident in the intricate details, from the fierce expression of Garuda's avian face to the muscular rendering of its powerful limbs. The use of deep blues, fiery reds, and golden accents creates a visually stunning representation, imbuing the sculpture with a sense of divine energy and movement.
––––––––––Mythological Significance and Cultural Resonance
Garuda is a central figure in ancient Indian mythology, renowned as the king of birds and the eternal enemy of the Nagas (serpent deities). He is the mount (vahana) of Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, symbolizing speed, strength, and the power to overcome obstacles. Tales abound of Garuda's epic battles against the Nagas, liberating his mother from their clutches and earning divine favor. In Buddhism, Garuda is also a significant protector deity, often depicted in fierce forms to ward off evil and protect devotees. This depiction, with its energetic dance and surrounding aura of flames, suggests a manifestation of Garuda's wrathful aspect, a powerful guardian capable of vanquishing negative forces and purifying the environment. The presence of a smaller figure at Garuda's feet, often depicted as a Naga or an antagonist, further emphasizes Garuda's role as a conqueror of negativity.
––––––––––Artistry from the Himalayas
Hailing from the rich artistic heritage of Nepal, this copper sculpture showcases the meticulous craftsmanship characteristic of Himalayan art. The artisans meticulously shape and detail the copper, often using traditional methods passed down through generations. The vibrant coloration, achieved through careful application of pigments, adds another layer of depth and spiritual significance to the piece. The fiery aureole surrounding Garuda is a common motif in religious art, symbolizing spiritual power, enlightenment, or the destructive yet purifying nature of divine wrath. This statue serves not only as a religious icon but also as a testament to the enduring artistic traditions of Nepal, a beautiful fusion of spiritual devotion and skilled artistry.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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