The queen of the Buddhist heavens, Devi Tara is the embodiment of the feminine principle. She is the merciful and compassionate mother, and gives birth to life and affirms it with Her nourishment. She is like a mother to Her devotee, extending to the mortal Her unconditional love and protection from adharma that permeates the cycle of existence as we know it. In Her beauteous face and Her queenly stance, the Devi Tara has all these qualities writ large in this composition.
She stands on the receptacle of an inverted lotus, as is the norm with peace-loving deities of the Hindu and Buddhist pantheons. Her body language is dynamic, Her gaze turned lovingly to the realm (existential) beneath Her. Her sashes and the ample train of Her silken dhoti float about Her lithe, yogini’s form. On the palms of both hands is the cakshurindriya, as is characteristic of Devi Tara’s many roopas. In Her left hand is a blooming, larger-than-life lotus. The solid gold of the devi’s roopa, from her skin to Her lush clothing and vine-like crown and ornaments, is punctuated by the dreamy black of Her shoulder-length curls.
This murti is a fine example of Nepalese handiwork. Gold-gilded copper being an elite medium, Buddhist lord- and devi-sculptures like this one are signature collectibles for the spiritually inclined.
The Bodhisattva of Compassion
Behold a radiant embodiment of compassion, meticulously crafted in copper and lavished with 24 Karat gold. This sculpture captures the serene grace of Devi Tara, a beloved figure in the Buddhist pantheon, revered as the Mother of Liberation. She stands, poised and elegant, ready to answer the heartfelt prayers of those who seek her aid. Her form, slender and graceful, speaks of both earthly beauty and transcendent wisdom. Notice the delicately etched details on her flowing garments, the intricate adornments that grace her crown and neck, all reflecting the extraordinary skill of the artisans who brought this vision to life. The lustrous gold finish imbues the piece with an aura of divinity, making it a focal point of reverence and contemplation.Tara's Story: From Tears to Transcendence
Tara's origins are rooted in a tale of unwavering dedication. According to legend, she was once a princess who vowed to remain a woman throughout her journey to enlightenment, determined to assist others across the sea of suffering. She is said to have sprung from a lotus blossom that grew from a tear shed by Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, as he wept at the world's pain. This origin underscores her profound connection to empathy and her role as a protector of those in need. Her name, meaning "star," symbolizes her ability to guide devotees through the darkness of ignorance towards the light of wisdom.A Reflection of Sacred Art
This exquisite sculpture is more than just an object; it is a gateway to the profound teachings of Buddhism. Tara is often depicted with her right hand in the gesture of granting wishes (Varada Mudra) and her left holding a lotus, a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening. The third eye on her forehead represents her all-seeing wisdom, her capacity to perceive the interconnectedness of all things. Displaying this statue in your home or meditation space serves as a constant reminder of Tara's boundless compassion and inspires one to cultivate these qualities within oneself. The statue invites contemplation, encouraging us to look inward and awaken our own potential for wisdom and selfless service. It is a timeless representation of spiritual beauty and artistic excellence, perfect for anyone seeking inspiration, serenity, and a deeper connection to Buddhist philosophy.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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