Garuda

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Name: Garuda
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EN36
Price: 175.00 USD
Availability: InStock

AED648

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	EN36
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 5 inch
	Width: 4 inch
	Depth: 3.4 inch
	Weight 600 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.

This product description is meant for use on an e-commerce website and should not be directly copied.

Divine Protector and Celestial Steed

Behold the embodiment of power and protection with this exquisite sculpture, a testament to the artistry and spiritual depth found in traditional Buddhist and Hindu iconography. This meticulously crafted piece depicts a celestial being revered across cultures, representing courage, swiftness, and unwavering devotion. It invites you to connect with a timeless symbol of triumph over adversity.

Craftsmanship and Materials

This awe-inspiring sculpture has been crafted from copper and adorned with a lavish layer of 24 Karat gold. Every intricate detail, from the powerful wings to the regal crown, reflects a dedication to preserving ancient artistic traditions. The gilding process itself is a time-honored technique, adding a layer of radiant light and spiritual significance to the sculpture. The use of copper, known for its durability, and the addition of gold, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, ensures that this piece will be a cherished heirloom for generations to come. This piece measures 5.0 x 4.0 x 3.4 inches.

Garuda's Mythic Origins

In Hindu mythology, he is known as the king of birds, a mighty creature with a mix of human and avian features. Born from the sage Kashyapa and Vinata, Garuda emerged from his egg with a brilliance so intense that the gods mistook him for Agni, the god of fire. His birth fulfilled a prophecy and ignited a saga of courage and devotion. Garuda's most famous tale is his quest to free his mother from servitude. To do so, he had to obtain the Amrita, the nectar of immortality, which was guarded by the gods. He battled fiercely, overcoming all obstacles with his unparalleled strength and cunning. His success earned him the eternal gratitude of his mother and solidified his position as a symbol of unwavering filial piety. Garuda's role as the vehicle (vahana) of Vishnu underscores his significance in Hindu cosmology. He is often depicted carrying Vishnu through the cosmos, representing the divine power and swiftness of the supreme god. This association elevates him to a position of immense respect and veneration. In Buddhist traditions, he is a protector against negative forces, his image often seen guarding temples and sacred spaces. His fierce appearance and powerful presence serve as a deterrent to harmful spirits and a reminder of the triumph of good over evil.

A Legacy of Courage

This sculpture serves not only as an object of beauty but also as a potent symbol. Place it in your home or sacred space to invoke the protective energies of the being represented. May it serve as a constant reminder of your own inner strength and the power of unwavering devotion.

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.