Fine Quality Tibetan Buddhist Hayagriva Phurpa On Skull Stand - Made in Nepal

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Name: Fine Quality Tibetan Buddhist Hayagriva Phurpa On Skull Stand - Made in Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEE20
Price: 660.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$759

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Specifications

	ZEE20
	Copper Statue
	Height: 0 inch
	Width: 0 inch
	Depth: 0 inch
	Weight 1.40 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Fierce Compassion: The Hayagriva Phurpa

This magnificent copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, represents Hayagriva, a wrathful emanation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and the sacred ritual dagger known as a phurpa. Hayagriva, often depicted with multiple heads and arms, and famously with a horse's head cresting his own, is a fierce protector against obstacles, negativities, and the forces of ignorance. His terrifying visage, with bared fangs and a blazing expression, is not one of malice, but of ultimate compassion, born from an intense desire to swiftly liberate beings from suffering. The horse, a symbol of speed and power, reflects Hayagriva's ability to conquer spiritual hindrances with unparalleled alacrity.

The Power of the Phurpa

The phurpa, or kīla, is an ancient ritual implement deeply embedded in Tantric Buddhist traditions. It is believed to have originated from the mythological prowess of the Indian sage Agastya, who used a magical peg to subdue a demon king and bring order to the world. In Tibetan Buddhism, the phurpa is a symbolic representation of subjugation and transformation, used to pin down and neutralize harmful energies, negative influences, and karmic imprints. It is a tool for spiritual warfare, used to sever attachments to ego, illusion, and worldly distractions, thereby paving the path to enlightenment. The intricate carvings on this phurpa, including serpentine motifs, further enhance its power, symbolizing the transmutation of poison into nectar and the overcoming of primal forces.

Symbolism and Craftsmanship

This statue showcases the profound symbolism associated with Hayagriva and the phurpa. The base, often depicted as a skull, represents the triumph over death and impermanence, and the understanding of the true nature of reality. The skull signifies the ultimate ground from which enlightenment can arise, reminding practitioners of the impermanence of all phenomena and the urgent need for spiritual practice. The entire composition, from the terrifying face of Hayagriva to the sharp, piercing point of the phurpa and the symbolic base, is designed to evoke awe and inspire diligent spiritual effort. The rich patina of the copper, a testament to the skill of Nepalese artisans, adds a sense of depth and antiquity to this powerful sacred object. This piece serves not only as a striking visual representation of potent Buddhist deities and rituals but also as a powerful reminder of the path to liberation from suffering.

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.