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

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

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Name: Fine Quality Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Phurpa On Skull Stand - Made in Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZED64
Price: 660.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$618.75

$825

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Handcrafted to perfection, this copper Tibetan Buddhist Phurba is invigorated by the powers of the potent guardian deity- Mahakala, which rests on the handle of the Phurba, which is used in ritual ceremonies to bless devotees. The head of Mahakala rests on the Vajra symbol, which has a beautiful lotus motif along with dragon faces adding stunning detail to it. The blade of the Phurba extends from the mouth of a Makara, with intertwined serpents, symbolizing inner wisdom etched on its surface. The Phurba stands on an exquisite platform that has skulls and waves embellishing it, as the representatives of death, demons and negative energies which the Phurba quells with its potent qualities.

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Specifications

	ZED64
	Copper Statue
	Height: 0 inch
	Width: 0 inch
	Depth: 0 inch
	Weight 1.40 kg

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.

A Symbol of Power and Enlightenment

This exquisite copper phurpa, expertly crafted in Nepal, embodies a profound confluence of spiritual power and artistic mastery. The phurpa, a ritualistic dagger, is a potent symbol in Tibetan Buddhism, representing the piercing of ignorance and the subjugation of negative forces. It is said to be a weapon of wisdom, capable of transmuting delusion into enlightenment. This particular phurpa is distinguished by its striking representation of Mahakala, a wrathful protector deity whose fierce aspect is intended to inspire awe and devotion, clearing obstacles on the path to spiritual realization.

The Ferocious Visage of Mahakala

The upper section of the phurpa features a detailed and formidable mask of Mahakala. His contorted face, with bulging eyes, bared teeth, and an enraged expression, is designed to shock and purify. Mahakala, often depicted with multiple faces and arms, is a guardian of the Dharma, a fierce protector of the teachings and practitioners of Buddhism. Tales abound of his interventions to shield the faithful from internal and external hindrances, including demonic forces, mental afflictions, and earthly dangers. The intricate rendering of his fierce countenance, with its deep-set eyes and open mouth, conveys his unwavering commitment to vanquishing negativity. The vibrant red accents on the mask suggest the fiery energy of transformation, a hallmark of this powerful deity.

The Mystical Blade and its Foundation

The shaft of the phurpa tapers into a sharp, triple-edged blade, a common feature designed to symbolize the cutting through of the three poisons: greed, hatred, and delusion. The intricate carvings along the blade further enhance its spiritual significance, possibly depicting mantras or protective symbols. The phurpa rests upon a substantial base, a macabre yet deeply symbolic skull stand. In Tibetan Buddhist cosmology, the skull represents impermanence, a reminder of the transient nature of existence and the ultimate futility of worldly attachments. The skull stand, often adorned with intricate carvings of waves or other auspicious motifs, serves as a foundation for spiritual practice, grounding the practitioner in the understanding of emptiness and the potential for liberation. This particular stand features a dynamic wave-like pattern, suggesting the vast ocean of samsara from which liberation is sought, and the fierce determination required to navigate it. The overall composition of this phurpa, from the wrathful deity to the skull base, is a powerful testament to the complex iconography and profound philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism.

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.